Clinical study of 149 dowel-core-crown prostheses in restoration of residual roots and crown of anterior teeth

Objective: To analyze the problems existing in the root canal treatment and restoration of anterior teeth and to probe the proper solutions. Methods: 149 residual roots and crowns of 100 patients were examined physically and X-ray photos were taken. After completion of root canal treatment, the residual roots and crowns were restored with dowel-core-crowns. Results: Examination results: Among 149 residual roots and crowns, 110 (73.81%) existing endodontically treated teeth had good apical seal; 25 inadequate root fillings (16.87%) should be retreated; and 7 of them were not filled compactly, 18 of them lacked at least 3 mm; 14 existing no fillings (9.39%) were treated with root canal treatment firstly. While coming to our clinic, 2 patients had chronic periapical cysts and then surgery treatments were done; 12 teeth had been restored with simply dowel crowns; 24 teeth had harmful prostheses. Treatment results: After finishing the endodontic treatment or surgery treatment, 149 teeth were restored with dowel-core-prostheses. The observation involving 100 patients evaluated 149 dowel-core-crowns followed 3~4 years: the success rate was very high (92.59%), 138 prostheses had good esthetic, phonetic and mastication effects; the failure rate was 7.38%. Among the 11 failed cases, 4 prostheses (2.68%) failed because of porcelain fracture, 3 cases (2.01%) failed in retention, and 4 cases (2.68%) were unsatisfied with gingival metal line. Conclusions: The completion of good root canal treatment is necessary before restoration with dowel-core-crowns. Dowel-core-crown is an ideal technique for restoration of residual roots and crowns.