Final stage of a root canal

The final stage of the root canal is restoring your tooth. The tooth typically has a large filling or is weakened from a large area of decay. The tooth needs to work well again and needs protection from future damage. This is usually done by placing an artificial crown. A crown is a realistic-looking artificial cap that's placed over the tooth.

A crown typically is made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. But other materials may be used. Crowns made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal can be tinted to match the color of your other teeth. If a lot of the tooth structure is missing, you may need a metal post placed in the tooth for support and to keep the crown in place. Ask your dentist or endodontist about other options for restoring your tooth.