Pain? Same-day care.
callEmergencyarrow_forward
Dental Nation
Treatment guide

Post & Core

By the Dental Nation clinical team — a licensed dental group practising in the UAE

A cemented post can hold a core in a root-treated tooth with too little remaining structure for a crown.

[1]

The short answer

A post is cemented into a root-treated tooth to retain the core that supports a later crown.

[1]
Post & Core dental educational illustration

What the change looks like

Illustrative diagram: Post & Core
Illustration — a representative diagram, not a patient photo.
The DN First Look799 AED
Book The DN First Look

What is a post and core?

Post and core components
ComponentRole
PostRetains the core inside a severely broken-down tooth[1]
CoreBuilds the tooth shape beneath the permanent crown[1]

[1]

Who may need one?

A post is used when a root-treated tooth has very little remaining dental substance, such as one or no cavity walls, and needs core retention.

[1][2]

Does it hurt?

Tooth preparation can take place in the dental chair with local anaesthetic, which numbs the tooth during the appointment.

[1][2]

Is it safe?

Ceramic posts have a higher fracture risk than fibre posts, while fibre posts can be retrieved; the post length must preserve a 4 to 6 mm apical seal.

[3][2]

How long does it last?

The post and core are intermediate rebuilding stages; the permanent crown is fitted at a subsequent visit after the tooth shape has been restored.

[1]

What happens during the procedure?

Part of the root filling is removed to create post space, the pin is cemented, and white filling material is built around it as the core.

[2][1]

What is recovery like?

A later appointment places the permanent crown over the rebuilt tooth, completing the restoration rather than leaving the post exposed.

[1]
From preparation to crown
StageWhat happens
Post placementThe pin is cemented into prepared post space[1][2]
Crown visitThe permanent crown is made to fit over the core[1]

[1][2]

What are the alternatives?

Post placement can improve clinical performance and survival probability compared with endodontically treated teeth without posts when retention is needed.

[1][3]

What should I expect afterwards?

Long-term care includes brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, limiting sugar frequency, and regular dental hygiene care.

[1]

What about insurance and financing in the UAE?

The rebuilding process includes creating space in the root filling, cementing the post, and forming a core before the crown appointment.

[1]

Frequently asked questions

Does every root-treated tooth need a post?

Posts are intended to retain core material when little dental substance remains; they are not described as necessary for every root-treated tooth.

[3][2]

Keep reading

conditionPulp Necrosis (Dead Tooth)symptomTooth Pain After Root CanalcompareThe core veneer material decisiontreatmentCore Buildup

Who wrote this page

This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.

This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.

Chat with us on WhatsApp