Dental Post and Core
Post and core treatment is recommended for teeth which are severely decayed or structurally damaged. After a root canal treatment, the post is positioned in the root of the tooth. It can be used to support a filling or to hold a crown. Some posts are ready made, whereas others are made in the laboratory especially to fit the tooth.
Recommended for
• Severe tooth decay
• During root canal treatment
Before dental post and core : Before post and core treatment, root canal treatment is performed and the dentist will determine which type of post and core should be used, in terms of using prefabricated (ready-made) or custom posts.
How is it performed : A prefabricated post is quicker to fit as there is no extra laboratory work needed and they come in various shapes and sizes. A cast post (or custom post) may be used in the cases where a prefabricated post is not suitable.
The laboratory-cast posts are usually made of carbon-fibre or stainless steel. This involves taking a mould of the inside of the canal, which is then sent to the dental lab so that a fitted post can be created. These usually include a core. Once the custom post and core is fitted into place, a mould can be taken in order to create a fitted crown.
The prefabricated post can be fitted directly after root canal treatment. When the root canal has been cleaned, the canal is filled with gutta percha, which is a filling material. Some of this material is filed down, removed and shaped in order to accommo- date space for the post. Once this has been placed, a core, or build up material is shaped around the post. With this in place, the crown can be attached on top of the post and core.
Materials : Core, or build up, is usually made from dental amalgam or composite. Posts are typically made of metal.
Anesthesia : Local anesthetic.
Procedure duration : The Dental Post and Core takes 1 to 3 hours.
The initial treatment where the post and build up is fitted takes around an hour. Other appointments are considerably shorter.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER DENTAL POST AND CORE
Post procedure care : Patients should avoid eating on the crown, following a post and core procedure. Certain foods, such as hard or chewy sweets, should be avoided as the crown could become loose.
Possible discomfort : Some minor discomfort to be expected after this procedure, but this can be easily controlled with normal painkillers.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DENTAL POST AND CORE
Success rates : The procedure is successful in over 90% of cases.
Potential risks
• Tooth fracture
• Root fracture
• Root canal failure (it is difficult to repeat root canal treatment once the post is in place)
• Post coming out
• Post protruding through the side of the root (this is a particular risk if the root is curved)
