RESTORATION OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH :WHY, WHEN AND HOW

Endodontic treatment saves the tooth from extraction but only adequate restoration will reinstate it as a long-term functioning member of the mouth. The restoration of a tooth by root canal treatment is of limited value unless the crown of tooth is satisfactorily restored. The manner in which a root canal filled tooth is restored is therefore considerable importance. The restoration of endodontically treated tooth is complicated by the fact that much or all of the coronal tooth structure which normally would be used in the retention of the restoration has been destroyed by caries, previous restorations, trauma, and the endodontic access preparation itself. The endodontically treated tooth is a unique subset of teeth requiring restoration because of several factors such as dehydrated dentin, decreased, decreased structural integrity and impaired neurosensory feed back mechanism when compared to a vital tooth. However, the treatment goal must be based upon a multitude of factors specific for each patient, so that the strategic architectural aspects that have/greatest impact on the ultimate strength of the pulpless tooth can be restored/reinforced.