Restoration of endodontically treated teeth: a guide for the restorative dentist.

Abstract

This article provides a decision flow chart that can serve as a guide to selecting the optimum restorations for endodontically treated teeth. The process begins with an assessment of the endodontically treated tooth to determine its restorability. The restorable tooth is then evaluated for the amount of remaining coronal tooth structure. Anterior teeth with minimal or moderate coronal damage do not require complete coverage or a post and core. However, anterior teeth with significant coronal damage will require complete coverage plus a post and core. Posterior teeth with minimal coronal damage may be treated conservatively with partial-coverage restorations. For posterior teeth with moderate damage and those with curved roots, amalgam or resin composite foundations are used to support complete-coverage restorations. Posterior teeth with significant coronal damage require a post and core and a complete-coverage restoration.