Do I need a crown after a root canal?

The 4-month window comes from the Pratt 2016 dataset, molars crowned within 4 months of obturation showed significantly higher survival than those left in temporary longer. For cracked tooth presentations or teeth with substantial structural loss, the clinical consensus tightens to 2-4 weeks. The temporary restoration is a coronal seal, not a load-bearing restoration. Extended time in temporary risks coronal microleakage and recontamination of the canal system, which is the failure mode most endodontists are protecting against.

Yes, on the right tooth. Lithium disilicate or zirconia onlays preserve more tooth structure than full-coverage crowns and provide cuspal coverage where it is structurally needed. The indication is a tooth with intact buccal and lingual walls but compromised marginal ridges or cusps. Bonded ceramic onlays have strong survival data in the 5-10 year range. Dani Dental mills both lithium disilicate and zirconia onlays through the digital workflow, with 4-business-day standard turnaround from intraoral scan.

No. The post does not strengthen the tooth, it retains the core buildup when insufficient coronal structure remains to support the final restoration. The rule of thumb: if 2mm or more of ferrule can be established circumferentially with the existing tooth structure, a post is often unnecessary and a bonded core buildup is sufficient. Fiber posts are preferred over cast metal posts in most contemporary protocols because the modulus of elasticity more closely matches dentin, reducing root fracture risk.