After root canal therapy, some teeth need extra support before they can be restored with a crown. If decay, a fracture, or years of repeated dental work have left very little tooth structure above the gum line, there may not be enough remaining tooth for a crown to hold securely. A post and core build-up rebuilds that foundation from the inside.
A post and core build-up is a restorative procedure performed inside a tooth after root canal treatment. A small channel is prepared inside one of the treated canals and a post, made of fiber or metal, is seated there to provide internal support. A tooth-colored core material is then built up around the post to restore the natural shape of the tooth. Once the core is complete, your general dentist places the permanent crown that protects the tooth and returns it to full function.
Because the work happens inside a canal that has already been treated, precision matters. Dr. Leong prepares the post space under the operating microscope, so the remaining tooth structure and the seal created during root canal therapy are both protected. Removing more dentin than necessary weakens the tooth, so the goal is always the smallest, best-fitting post the tooth actually needs.
Not every root canal treated tooth needs a post. Many teeth have enough remaining structure to hold a crown on their own, and in those cases a post adds risk without adding benefit. We evaluate what is left of the tooth, discuss the plan with your restorative dentist, and recommend a post and core only when it genuinely improves the outlook for the tooth.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person examination. An evaluation confirms whether post and core build-up is right for your situation.
Benefits
- Rebuilds a foundation when little natural tooth remains
- Supports proper placement of a crown by your dentist
- Restores function for chewing and speaking
- Prepared under the microscope to conserve tooth structure
- Helps preserve a natural tooth rather than extracting it
From our practice
Imaging from post and core build-up performed at Ocean Endodontics.
What happens during treatment
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Assessment
After root canal therapy, we evaluate how much sound tooth structure remains and whether a post is genuinely needed.
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Post space preparation
A small channel is prepared inside a treated canal under magnification, conserving as much tooth structure as possible.
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Post placement
A fiber or metal post is seated in the prepared space to provide internal support.
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Core build-up
Tooth-colored material is built around the post to restore the shape of the tooth.
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Crown with your dentist
Your general dentist places the permanent crown that protects the tooth and restores full function.
What to expect at your visit
The visit is straightforward and comfortable, and it is often completed at the same appointment as your root canal or shortly after. We explain what we find, coordinate the plan with your restorative dentist, and make sure you know what happens next before you leave.
Is this right for you?
A post and core may be recommended when extensive decay or damage has left little tooth structure above the gum line, when the remaining tooth cannot securely hold a crown on its own, or when a root canal treated tooth needs reinforcement for long-term stability. Teeth with enough sound structure usually do not need one.
Why patients choose Ocean Endodontics
Post space preparation is done inside a canal that is only a fraction of a millimeter wide, right next to the seal that makes a root canal succeed. Preparing it under the operating microscope, with high-quality biocompatible materials and close coordination with your general dentist, is how we protect both the tooth and the treatment.
Recovery & aftercare
Mild tenderness for a day or two is normal. Chew on the other side and protect the tooth until your dentist places the final crown, since a core build-up is not designed to withstand full chewing forces on its own.
Cost & insurance
Coverage for a post and core varies by plan, and it is often billed by the office that places the final crown. We verify your benefits, provide a clear estimate, and coordinate with your general dentist so billing and follow-up stay simple.
For details on coverage and payment options, see insurance & financing, and if this is your first visit, our new patient guide walks through exactly what to expect.
We provide post and core build-up to patients across San Francisco’s west side, including West Portal, Balboa Terrace, and Ingleside. See all the areas we serve.
