Can dentists drill through the crown on a tooth to perform a root canal?
On One Hand: A Crown Can be RemovedIt is possible to remove a crown before performing a root canal. But a crown is cemented in place with the intent of making it permanent. Removing it is a painful process, especially when the tooth is already aching. Removing the crown can also damage it so much that a new one is required.On the Other: Drilling Through a Crown is Common PracticeBecause crowns are meant to be permanent, dentists can treat them the same as a tooth without a crown and drill into them to perform a root canal. When a crown is inserted, it’s carefully cemented in place and should be fine after a root canal.Bottom LineA crown is more likely to need replacing after being removed than after being drilled through.
