Post and Core: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

The Post and Core is a prosthetic dental setup that is used to install a dental crown when the root structure at the damaged tooth is unable to provide enough support for the tooth restoration or dental crown or bridge. The device has two parts, the post and the crown. The post is a small rod that is inserted into the root space of the tooth with a small portion projecting out from the gum. The core is built up with the support of the projecting portion of the post and on which a dental crown can be installed. The core may be built directly on remaining tooth structure to repair it and a post is required to hold it in place when not enough of the tooth structure remains to satisfactorily support the crown. The post is inserted into the tooth root and so is only possible after a root canal surgery.

Post and cores are of two types. The prefabricated post and core uses premanufactured posts and cores of various sizes made of various metal alloys or fiber-resin. These can be directly inserted as no preparations are required to make them. The cast post and core setup is used when prefabricated post and core cannot be used. They are custom made for the affected tooth using casting materials which are then filled with dental alloys.

Two types of post and core setup are used. The prefabricated Post and Core setup uses pre-made post and cores of the correct size for the affected tooth which are then screwed or cemented into the root space in the jaw. Prefabricated post and core are usually made of metals or metal alloys like titanium or are plated with gold or silver. They may also sometimes be made of inert materials like composite resin with fibers. These are not screwed into the jaw but are fixed in place using dental cement. The advantage of prefabricated post and core setup is that it can be implanted directly right after preliminary endodontic treatment.

The other type of post and core setup is called Cast Post and Core. These are used when prefabricated post and core setups are not suitable for the damaged tooth. This may happen if the prefabricated post of the right size cannot be found or can cause greater damage if used, or if multiple posts are required for the same core as in case of molar with multiple roots. The Cast setup can be prepared directly or indirectly by using a casting material to create a mould of the root which is then used to prepare the post and core. Preparation of this type of setup requires longer time, but is more suitable for the damaged tooth as it is custom made, and may be the only method applicable as in case of multiple roots requiring multiple posts.

Once the post and core setup is in place, casting materials are used to create a cast and composite materials are used to create a crown that fits the damaged tooth being treated.

Post and Core is a prosthetic device used to install a dental crown for a damaged tooth. The treatment may be undergone by anybody with a damaged tooth due to trauma or tooth decay where the tooth is damaged enough to not be able to provide sufficient support to a dental crown implant.

Post and core implant is not advised for those with conditions like gum bleeding, severe tooth and jaw pain, tooth abscess, etc. Post and Core devices should be used in these cases only if no other treatment options exist and even then with utmost care. Post and core treatment is also not advisable if the tooth is too severely damaged or the bone structure under the tooth has been weakened or lost.

Some significant side effects and complications may be associated with post and core treatment, including endodontic failure due to microorganism accumulation or infection, root fracture due to improper post selected causing damage to the remaining structure of the root, separation of the core from the post, or fracture of the post and core.

Post treatment guidelines include avoiding excess stress on the treated tooth, maintaining proper dental and oral hygiene, regular checkups, etc.

Complete recovery takes place in about four to eight weeks after the post and core treatment unless further complications develop.

Post and Core treatment costs between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 50,000 and may go up higher if further complications develop and need to be treated.

If done correctly, the post and core treatment results are very long lasting unless further complications develop.

No alternative treatments exist for Post and Core procedure.