6 Steps Guide to Tooth Post-procedure [Types Included]

A damaged or diseased tooth can be your worst nightmare.

Swollen gums, teeth sensitivity, toothache, or teeth discoloration can be your hints to visit your dentist right now. 

For the best pediatric dental service in Scottdale, visit Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and book your appointment. 

Dentists have several ways to improve your smile and bite, either by using dental procedures or dental materials. Tooth post is one of the most common dental materials. 

A tooth post is a structure dentists place onto an existing tooth structure to provide the necessary support. 

What is a Tooth Post?

A tooth post is also known as a dental post, screw, fixture, or root canal post.

A dental post is a tiny structure made up of metal and ceramic that dentists insert into an existing tooth that lacks enough supporting tissue.

In addition, this structure helps to secure and stabilize the tooth that has just undergone a root canal treatment. 

A post usually appears to be a rod-like structure or screws. Also, the dental post-procedure is a tooth restoration technique that dentists perform as a follow-up to the root canal. 

Who Needs a Dental Post?

A tooth infection can damage your oral health; sometimes, that damage can go beyond the surfaces, reaching the tooth pulp. Not only this, but issues with tooth filling, genetics, or injuries can also increase your risk for an infected tooth pulp.

In this case, dentists remove the nerves, vessels, and damaged tissue buildup from tooth pulp and clean the site later. This procedure is a root canal. However, it often leaves behind a missing tooth that lacks supporting tissue. 

Dentists often replace this missing tooth with a crown or false tooth, but it needs an anchor to hold it into place.

So, dentists replace the tooth roots with screws or rods, also known as tooth posts, that provide adequate support.

Finally, a crown replaces the missing tooth structure after a dental post-implant. 

What are Some Types of Dental Posts?

Dental posts can be different based on the materials and their manufacturing.

Types According to Manufacturing

There are two basic types of dental posts available according to their manufacturing, including:

I- Prefabricated Posts 

These dental posts come directly from the manufacturer without any customization. They are super-easy to place and come in standard sizes and different shapes.

II- Cast Post

Cast posts are usually customized tooth posts and an option when prefabricated posts aren’t suitable.

Dental experts use a tooth mold to custom-fabricate the root canal post when most of the tooth tissue is lost. Cast posts come as single or multiple posts based on the individual’s requirements.

types of dental posts According to Materials

Posts can be of several types based on the materials used in their manufacturing.

However, each material has unique characteristics and differs in strength, durability, resistance, etc.

i- Prefabricated Posts Materials

Prefabricated posts can be of different types, from dental fiber to metallic posts.

Typically, these posts are made up of the following materials.

• Metallic Fiber Post
  • Titanium
  • Stainless steel
  • Brass
• Non-Metallic
  • Esthetic Post
    • Polyethylene fiber
    • Glass fiber
    • Quartz
    • Ceramic
  • Non- Esthetic Post 
• Carbon fiber post

ii- Cast Post Materials

• Gold alloy
• Chrome-Cobalt alloy
• Nickel-Chromium alloy

Step-by-Step Guide to Dental Post-Procedure

Tooth post placement, a.k.a. dental post procedure, is a multiple-step procedure. Furthermore, a dentist may place Tooth Posts with or without a crown.

The step-by-step process with a crown is as follows:

Step 1: Initial Assessment and Site Preparation

First, the post-implant process begins with a thorough examination via X-rays and site inspection. The area for the implant will lie within the treated root canal.

Once the dentist finds suitable teeth, it’s time to clean the site and remove the debris.  

Step 2: Creating the Space for Post

Now, the dentist will create the space (post space) in the teeth for the post-placement. Therefore, dentists might use a slow-speed dental drill to make the space.

Dentists also use hand tools to create the space and may refine it later with the help of dental drills.

Step 3: Post Placement

The next step is the placement of dental posts in the post space. Dentists place the dental posts in the space.

However, to ensure the best fit, they may trim or refine the post space according to the size and shape of the tooth post. 

Step 4: Cementing the Post

Once the post is in the right place, the dentist will cement it with cementing material.

This cementing helps to retain the post in its place. After dental cement application, they remove any excessive cementing material.

Step 5: Adding the Core

After the cement sets, now it’s time to add the core material. They usually add core material in layers.

Typical core materials are silver filling material or composite resin.

Step 6: Crown Placement

Finally, it’s time for crown placement after the post and core are in place. They place a dental crown over the core for better protection and support. 

Dentists may place dental posts without a crown, which slightly varies from the above-mentioned process.

Also, this practice is common for the molars because the post-support is sufficient.

Transforming Your Smile With Tooth Post Now

You might need a tooth crown if you have just got your root canal. A false tooth or crown covers and protects the root canal, but the remaining tooth structure cannot offer support for the crown. 

That’s where the tooth post comes in!

A dental post is a minor rod-like structure that a dentist inserts in an existing tooth structure so it can provide support.

Dental posts are available as ready-to-implant posts, or you can customize them in a variety of materials. Moreover, a dentist may perform post-implant work with or without a crown.

Ultimately, your dentist can help you pick the best tooth post to resume your regular tooth function and improve your oral well-being.

FAQs

How Long Does a Dental Post-Last?

A dental post may last up to 10-30 years with an average longevity of 15 years. 

What is Tooth Post and Crown Cost?

The cost is between $3,000 and $6,000. However, the cost of dental post-procedure may vary depending on multiple factors.

Can a Post and Crown Fall Out?

A post and crown may fall out due to improper fit or lack of cementing. Furthermore, your dentist will re-cement the tooth post if you visit him quickly.

What is the Difference Between a Tooth Post and an Implant?

A tooth post is a rod-like structure placed into an existing tooth structure’s root canal to support the crown on it.

In contrast, dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed into the jaw bone through surgery.

Moreover, dental posts are made of metallic or fiber material, while implants are usually biocompatible.

Is Putting a Post in a Tooth Painful?

The procedure is not painful because there are no nerves at the implant site. Further, dentists perform it under conscious sedation or with anesthesia so patients only experience mild discomfort.

The slight pain or discomfort can last up to 10 days.