What is Post and Core? A post is a metallic structure that is placed within the body of the root of a tooth that has had previous root canal therapy. This procedure is required in order to rebuild the proper support for a crown. It can be placed only in a tooth that has had endodontic therapy (root canal). This tooth is usually missing most of its original structure. The post is placed in the nerve canal which was previously filled with gutta percha at the end of the root canal therapy.

How is it made?
In fabricating your post, we remove some of the gutta percha, making sure we leave the last two to three millimeters to seal the end of the root. This space that is fabricated is necessary in order to anchor the post within the root of the tooth.

There are different types of posts. The type that is chosen for you will depend upon a number of factors. The post can either be 1) prefabricated or 2) cast at the dental laboratory. In either case, the result of anchorage for a crown is the same.

The part of the post that shows is called the core. It is upon this core that we can anchor the crown. The post is usually cemented into your tooth separately from the crown. The crown is then ready to be placed.

Although posts are usually recommended when there is minimal support for a crown, they are not always necessary. The use of a post will be determined on an individual basis by considering the support and structural requirements of the tooth.