Restoration of endodontically treated teeth

The completion of root canal treatment does not signal the end of patient management. The endodontically treated tooth has to be restored to both form and function. In addition, there is now a greater appreciation that coronal leakage may cause failure. Therefore, the quality of the coronal restoration has an influence on treatment outcome. The availability of adhesive techniques has expanded treatment modalities. Amalgam cores and cast metal posts are being replaced by adhesive techniques and fibre posts; all-ceramic and composite resin crowns are chosen for better aesthetics.

The choice of restoration for an endodontically treated tooth is dependent on the amount of coronal tooth tissue left. In fact, this single most important factor will dictate the retention of the restoration and the fracture susceptibility of the tooth. The suggestion from existing literature is there is a relationship between the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth and the residual amount of tooth structure. Hence, the life expectancy of endodontically treated teeth may not necessarily be increased by the choice of restoration but rather by the amount of tooth structure preserved. Anterior and posterior endodontically treated teeth present differing restorative demands. Anterior teeth may be less prone to fracture but compared with posterior teeth, aesthetic is a major consideration.