| Re: root canal questions
A crown is not always necessary after you have had a root canal on the tooth. It really depends on the tooth, how much pressure you apply to that tooth, and how fragile the tooth already is before the root canal.
The reason why crowns are applied to a tooth after a root canal is because the tooth will become fragile over time. A root canal is simply a procedure where they remove the nerve of the tooth, sterilize the inside of the tooth, and then fill the inside of the tooth where the nerve once was. The nerve supplies moisture to the tooth. Since that nerve is now gone, the tooth will dry out and become fragile over time. The crown is then placed on the tooth as a protective measure.
Now, if the tooth has had a lot of work on it in the past and there is 50% or less of the natural tooth structure left, a crown is needed to protect the remaining tooth structure and allow for the tooth to function properly.
After the root canal procedure is finished, a temporary filling will be placed in the tooth. In a few weeks after the procedure, either a permanent filling will be placed and or a crown. If you do not have to have a crown placed right away, wait at least 6 months or more before having a crown placed. This will give time for the tooth to heal as well as to make sure their was no re-infection of the tooth. It is much easier to re-treat the root canal tooth if there is only a filling there and not a crown. Also, it is not uncommon for some people to experience sensitivity in a root canal tooth after the procedure even though there is no nerve in the tooth. The sensitivity is from the ligaments that hold the tooth in the socket and just from general dental work. The sensitivity should subside with time after the procedure. This is another reason why if you can wait to have a crown placed, it is best to do so. If a crown is placed too soon, the tooth can become all that more irritated and be sore for quite some time.
Antibiotics are on an individual basis. Depending on how severe the infection is, you may require antibiotics to be taken several days before the root canal procedure is scheduled. It also has to do with your overall health. If you have trouble fighting infection due to age, medical procedure, disease, or current medications, antibiotics will be prescribed to protect you from developing a serious infection. Sometimes, the root canal procedure can begin without the need for antibiotics. If the infection in the tooth is a small infection and your body is able to fight infection, then antibiotics may not be needed.
Osteoporosis does not affect the individual tooth. As long as the tooth is not wiggling around and loose in the socket and the bone tissue in your jaw is healthy and within normal density, a root canal can be done. | 
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