Illustration showing crown and tooth restoration
Previous Next 6 of 7 Final stage of a root canal

The final stage of the root canal is restoring your tooth. Because the tooth typically has a large filling or is weakened from extensive decay, it needs to be protected from future damage and returned to normal function. This is usually done by placing a crown — a realistic-looking artificial tooth — over your tooth. A crown is typically made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, but other materials may be used. Crowns made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal can be tinted to match the color of your other teeth. Sometimes, a metal post must first be inserted in the tooth for structural support and to keep the crown in place if there is significant tooth structure missing. Ask your dentist or endodontist about other restoration options.

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