Would an inlay be an appropriate choice for a tooth with a root canal? And what material would be best for a back molar?

Question

I got a root canal done several years ago with a white filling placed. After looking online it seems very common for you to get a crown on a root canal tooth since so much tooth structure is gone. I am wondering if a partial crown, specifically an inlay would be an appropriate choice since it is more conservative. The filling is a large part of the top (in the middle) of my tooth but not on any sides of the tooth.

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:
The best restoration to protect the tooth after a root canal is a crown or onlay not an inlay.  The cusps have to be protected against any fracture due to brittleness of the tooth after root canal.
Best,
Dr. Maddahi

Edward Lowe, BSc, DMD · Answer

Hi there,
An inlay is not a good choice as it does not support the cusps of a more brittle root canal treated tooth and there is a greater risk of fracture. A vertical fracture of a tooth can render it non restorable and may require extraction. 
An onlay covers and protects the tooth and lowers the risk of fracture while retaining a good portion of your natural tooth so is more conservative. The more aggressively prepared crown also does this and would be a good idea when there is limited tooth structure left and the protection from tooth fracture is the highest priority.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Dr. Ed Lowe

Amber Garcia, DDS · Answer

With a root canaled tooth, you want something to cover the chewing surface of the tooth. An onlay would work, but an inlay would only make the tooth split in half and need an extraction. An onlay is a much more conservative option than a crown.

Would an inlay be an appropriate choice for a tooth with a root canal? And what material would be best for a back molar?

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Crown

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Would an inlay be an appropriate choice for a tooth with a root canal? And what material would be best for a back molar?

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Crown

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.