Core Buildup

What Is a Core Buildup? (The Foundation Your Crown Desperately Needs)

Imagine trying to put a new roof on a house that has crumbling, unstable walls. It wouldn't work. The same is true for your teeth. A core buildup is the essential dental construction work we perform to rebuild a severely damaged tooth, creating a solid and stable foundation before we place a new crown on top.

When a tooth has a massive cavity, a large fracture, or has had a root canal, there often isn't enough healthy structure left to support a crown on its own. The core buildup is the unsung hero that makes a long-lasting crown possible, saving a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.

When Does a Tooth Need to Be Rebuilt?

We typically recommend a core buildup when more than half of a tooth's natural crown structure is gone. This is common in situations like:

• A very large, deep cavity has been removed.
• A significant portion of the tooth has broken off.
• A large, old filling has failed, taking healthy tooth structure with it.
• A tooth is hollowed out after root canal therapy.

Essentially, if there isn't enough tooth left for a new crown to grab onto securely, we need to build it back up first.

The Rebuilding Process: What Actually Happens

A core buildup is a two-phase process that happens in a single visit, right before we prepare the tooth for the final crown.

1. The "Demolition" Phase: First, we need a clean slate. We meticulously remove all decay, old filling material, and any cracked or compromised tooth structure. It can be surprising to see how little healthy tooth is left, but this step is critical.
2. The "Reconstruction" Phase: Using advanced bonding agents and high-strength composite resin (a tooth-colored filling material), we literally sculpt a new core for the tooth, layer by layer. This new core is shaped and cured to become a solid, integrated foundation, ready to be prepared for the final crown.

In some cases, especially after a root canal, a tiny post may be placed inside the tooth before the buildup to act like rebar in concrete, providing extra internal support.

Is a Core Buildup Worth the Extra Cost?

This is a conversation we have with patients every day. A core buildup is a separate procedure from the crown and has an additional fee. It's natural to ask if it's really necessary.

Here is the honest financial reality:

• Without a buildup: Placing a crown on a weak foundation is the #1 reason for premature crown failure. A failed crown often leads to the tooth fracturing in a way that requires extraction.
• The cost of failure: An extraction, bone graft, dental implant, and implant crown can cost many thousands of dollars more than the initial crown and buildup combined.

A core buildup isn't an upsell; it's the insurance policy that protects your investment in the crown and, most importantly, saves your natural tooth. It's often the most conservative and cost-effective solution in the long run.

Here's what we want you to remember:

A core buildup is the critical foundational work that allows a severely damaged tooth to be saved with a crown. It transforms a tooth that would otherwise be a candidate for extraction into one that can provide stable support for decades.

Every patient's situation is unique.

Whether your tooth needs a simple buildup or a more complex one with a post requires careful diagnosis. We'll show you on an X-ray or with an intraoral camera exactly why a buildup is or isn't needed, so you can make an informed decision.

Facing a severely damaged tooth that needs a crown?

Wondering if a core buildup can save it and what your options are? We're here to give you honest answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.