The dental post
Find out everything you need to know
What is a dental post
A dental post is a prosthetic element designed to ensure the stability of a natural tooth that has suffered dental trauma, infection, or severe deterioration due to a deep cavity. The dental post replaces a tooth whose root is strong enough to support a post, typically made of metal or fiberglass, onto which a dental crown is then placed.
Types of dental posts:
- Metal Dental Post;
- Fiberglass Dental Post;
- Laboratory-made Dental Post.
Because it provides superior aesthetics, closer to the shade of the natural tooth, dentists recommend the fiberglass post.
The dental post is an essential element for restoring a natural tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment and has become fragile and brittle. It is the component onto which the dental crown is placed.
The dental procedure used to reconstruct a severely damaged tooth with the help of a dental post is called corono-radicular reconstruction.
Dental post treatment can be performed in two ways:
- From a single piece that is placed in the tooth's root;
- From two pieces: the post, followed by a ceramic or zirconia dental crown. This technique is more recommended because the system better absorbs the mechanical forces of chewing.
When is a dental post necessary?
A dental post is placed when the natural tooth is so damaged that its visible part, the crown, can no longer be restored with a simple inlay or cosmetic filling. Therefore, it is necessary to use a dental post to support the new dental crown. The main indications for a dental post and crown, in general, are:
- Trauma or dental fracture too severe for other reconstruction treatments;
- Advanced dental caries;
- Significant wear of the tooth;
- Severe discoloration;
- Severe misalignment of the tooth.
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are fixed prosthetic elements that cover the upper part of a tooth to restore its original morphology and to resemble the natural tooth. They can be made on the remaining dental tissue (thanks to a preparation) or attached to a metal or fiberglass post: the dental post. In the latter case, the crown is not glued but sealed onto the dental post within the tooth's root.
There are several types of dental crowns depending on the indication, as well as the aesthetic and economic level desired by the patient.
The mixed dental crown combines two materials: an alloy and ceramic. In vestibular crowns (VIC), the buccal surface is covered with ceramic. In metal-ceramic crowns, the ceramic covers the entire surface of the tooth.
As the name suggests, the ceramic crown is made entirely of ceramic material, making it highly resistant. The ceramic dental crown is the most aesthetic but also comes with a higher cost. Aesthetic criteria are not the only considerations; the dental crown must also meet the needs of the oral cavity. Metal restorations are still widely used despite their unaesthetic appearance, but their mechanical properties are also limited.
How dental post treatment works
When a tooth is excessively damaged due to carious processes or severe trauma, it is often devitalized to stop the progression of the infection and eliminate any sensitivity of the tooth. This essentially involves removing the nerves and blood vessels from the infected tooth and sealing the canals.
If the tooth is only partially damaged, it is shaped to acquire a standard form; an impression is taken, and a dental crown is cemented in place.
If the tooth is structurally too damaged, one or two dental posts are needed to anchor it to the root to stabilize the future dental crown. Completing the treatment requires two visits to the dentist.
The difference between a dental post and a dental implant
Sometimes it can be difficult for patients to understand the meaning of all the different dental terms. Therefore, many people do not know the difference between a "dental implant" and a "dental post."
A dental implant is a structure that replaces the root of a missing natural tooth. The implant is actually a small screw made of titanium or ceramic inserted into the bone directly in the place where the missing tooth was. This dental implant integrates perfectly with the bone tissue and functions exactly like the root of a natural tooth.
A prefabricated or laboratory-made dental post from ASPEN is a fiberglass rod placed in the root of a sufficiently healthy tooth to hold it in place. This helps to preserve the root of natural teeth. A dental crown is always placed on the dental post after a root canal treatment or devitalization of the root.
The dentist is the only person who determines which treatment is most suitable for you. Schedule an appointment at one of our dental centers to learn about all the available options.
