ENDOCROWN : AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH FOR RESTORING OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH – A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Coronal rehabilitation of severely damaged endodontically treated teeth is the most challenging task as there is high risk of failure than vital teeth. Advances in adhesive dentistry have made great contributions to cosmetic & restorative dentistry over the past few decades. Endocrown is indicated for restoration of severely damaged molar, which requires specific restoration technique. This therapy promotes the stability and retention of the indirect restoration, without the need of a cast metal core or reconstruction with intracanal post, thereby reducing the treatment time. Endocrowns are formed from a monoblock containing the coronal portion integrated into the apical projection that fills the pulp chamber space and possibly the root canal ingresses. The major advantage of an endocrown is the use of the tooth structure remnant, particularly the pulp chamber, to promote retention and stability. This case report represents the restorations of severely damage mandibular molar teeth (46) by Endocrown which represented a conservative and aesthetic restorative alternative to full coverage crown. It was found that endocrown restorations could be made following the development of reinforced ceramics that can be acid etched, that have aggregate strength and esthetics, that bond to the dental structure, and that have developed from broader knowledge of the biomechanical behavior of depulped teeth restored with and without intraradicular posts. Clinical studies have shown that the endocrown has functional longevity, and has become a promising alternative in the esthetic and functional recovery of endodontically treated molar teeth.