Tooth Crown vs Root Canal – Which is Better

Many patients mistakenly believe that if a tooth requires a crown, it also requires a root canal. While this is not always true, it can be a bit confusing because teeth that require root canal therapy most often do, in fact, require a crown. So, what’s the difference? We will attempt to resolve the confusion.

A crown is a tooth-shaped covering that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength and improve its overall appearance. Crowns fully encase the visible portion of the tooth. Root canal therapy repairs and saves an infected or badly decayed tooth. During root canal therapy, we remove the pulp, or nerve, of the tooth. Finally, we clean and sterilize the canals.

After root canal therapy, the treated tooth requires a crown to provide additional strength.