Endodontics
Post and Core Treatment in Gurgaon
When a root canal treated tooth has lost most of its structure, there may not be enough left for a crown to grip. A post and core rebuilds that foundation: a post anchored inside the root, and a core built on top for the crown to sit on.
It is a small procedure with a large influence on how long the tooth lasts, and it is easy to do badly - which is why it belongs with the endodontist who knows the inside of that root.
There is a persistent belief that a post strengthens a root canal treated tooth. It does not. Preparing space for a post removes dentine from inside the root, and dentine is what gives the root its strength - so a post always makes the root slightly weaker, never stronger. Its only purpose is to hold a core in place when too little natural tooth remains for a crown to grip.
That distinction decides whether one is needed at all. Where enough sound tooth structure survives above the gum, a build-up and a crown are the better answer and the root is left intact. Posts belong to the cases where the crown has essentially gone and there is nothing else for a restoration to hold on to.
When a post is genuinely needed, two things determine whether the tooth lasts: preparing the space along the true path of the canal rather than perforating the side of the root, and choosing a post narrow enough to leave sound dentine all around it. Both are questions of seeing the anatomy clearly, which is why this is done under magnification by the endodontist who treated the root.
Why patients choose us for this
Teeth kept rather than replaced
A tooth with very little structure left can often still carry a crown instead of being extracted.
Placed under magnification
Post space is prepared with the canal anatomy visible, which is what protects the remaining root from perforation.
Material matched to the tooth
Fibre or metal, chosen for the position and load rather than by habit.
What to expect
- 01
Assessment
How much sound tooth remains, and whether the root can support a post at all, is established first.
- 02
Post space
Part of the root filling is carefully removed to make room, keeping the seal at the tip intact.
- 03
Post and core
The post is cemented and the core built up to the shape a crown needs.
- 04
Crown
An impression or scan is taken and the crown is fitted over the rebuilt tooth.
How long it takes
Usually one appointment for the post and core, then a second for the crown once the impression or scan has been made.
What it costs
Quoted with the crown, since the two are planned together. The written estimate covers both before work begins.
Get a written estimateA post that is too wide
The temptation with a badly broken tooth is to use the largest post that will fit, on the assumption that bigger holds better. It is the opposite: a wide post leaves thin dentine walls, and thin walls split under normal chewing - usually as a vertical root fracture, which cannot be repaired and costs the tooth. A narrower post in sound dentine outlasts a wide one every time.
Frequently asked questions
Does every root canal treated tooth need a post?
No, and this is a common misunderstanding. A post adds no strength by itself - it exists only to retain a core when too little tooth remains. Where enough sound structure is left, a filling and a crown are the better answer.
What can go wrong with a post?
The two real risks are perforating the root while preparing the space, and choosing a post too wide for the root, which leaves the walls thin and prone to fracture. Both are avoided by working under magnification and respecting the anatomy.
Fibre post or metal post?
Fibre posts flex more like natural dentine and are usually preferred, especially at the front. Metal has its place in specific high-load situations. The choice depends on the tooth, not on preference.
How long does it last?
A well-placed post and core under a well-fitting crown can last many years. What shortens it is usually a leaking crown margin letting bacteria back in underneath, rather than the post itself failing.