When a tooth has almost nothing left above the gum, a post and core gives it back the foundation a crown needs.
A post and core saves teeth that would otherwise need extracting. When a root-canal-treated tooth has lost so much structure that a crown cannot grip, a post is cemented into the root canal and a core is built around it to recreate the tooth's shape. The crown then sits on this rebuilt foundation. It is the difference between keeping your natural tooth and replacing it with an implant — and it costs a fraction of the price.
Free, no-obligation — you pay the hospital directly with no markup.
A post and core rebuilds a severely damaged tooth that lacks enough structure to hold a crown on its own. A thin post — fibre or metal — is cemented into the root canal space, then a composite or cast-metal core is shaped around it to recreate the tooth's form. The crown cements onto this rebuilt foundation.
The procedure only applies to teeth that have already had root canal treatment, because the canal space needs to be accessible for the post. The root itself must be long enough, wide enough, and healthy enough to support the post. When those conditions are met, a post and core extends the functional life of a tooth that would otherwise need extraction.
Post and core is typically done alongside crown work, and the combined savings in Thailand are significant. The procedure is routine for experienced Thai dentists.
Tooth Saved
Preservation Over Extraction
Our partner dentists assess whether a tooth can be saved before recommending extraction. A post and core followed by a crown costs less and recovers faster than an implant, with no surgical component.
60–70%
Combined Savings
Post and core at $150–$300 plus a crown at $200–$400 in Thailand. The combined cost is still less than the post and core alone would cost at home, before the crown is even factored in.
5–7 Days
Fits a Short Trip
Post placement and crown fitting are done in two appointments within the same trip. The post and temporary go in on day one, the permanent crown cements on day five. No separate surgical phase or healing wait.
Direct
Clear Treatment Planning
Your dentist explains whether the root can support a post, which material is best, and what the combined cost with the crown will be. No ambiguity about what you are getting or what it costs.
We do not charge for our service — you pay the clinic directly with no markup. Here is what post and core restoration costs and how it compares internationally.
Your Quote Will Include
Prices are approximate and vary by technique, surgeon, and hospital. Your personalised quote will include a full cost breakdown.
A post and core restoration in Thailand typically costs between $150 and $300 per tooth, depending on the post material and whether it is prefabricated or custom-cast. The crown is quoted separately. Combined, a post-and-core with a zirconia crown typically runs $400–$700 per tooth — often less than the post and core alone would cost at home.
The post and core quote covers the dentist's fee for canal preparation and post placement, the post itself (fibre, prefabricated metal, or custom-cast), the core build-up material, and a temporary crown to protect the build-up while the permanent crown is fabricated. The permanent crown is quoted as a separate line item so you see each component clearly.
Custom-cast metal posts cost more than prefabricated fibre or metal posts because they require a lab impression and casting step. Fibre posts are the most common and sit in the mid-range. The tooth position does not significantly affect the post cost, but it may influence the crown material selected, which affects the combined total.
Pricing varies by the complexity and scope of the procedure. Typical ranges at our partner hospitals in Thailand:
Exact pricing is confirmed after your consultation and treatment plan are finalised.
Post and core restoration in Thailand costs 60–70% less than equivalent work in the US ($450–$900), Australia (A$400–A$850), and UK (£400–£750). Combined with the crown savings, patients doing multiple post-and-core-plus-crown restorations in Thailand can save thousands on a case that might otherwise have pushed them towards extraction.
The choice of post material affects how the tooth handles force, how it looks under a ceramic crown, and what happens if something goes wrong years later. Here are the main options.
A prefabricated glass or carbon fibre post is bonded into the root canal with resin cement, and a composite resin core is built around it. This is the most widely used modern system because fibre posts flex similarly to natural tooth root, reducing the risk of root fracture. Tooth-coloured, so no shadow under ceramic crowns.
A custom one-piece post and core cast from gold or base-metal alloy. An impression of the prepared canal is taken and the lab casts a post that fits the canal shape precisely. Extremely strong and durable, with the longest clinical track record of any post system. The trade-off is rigidity — if excessive force is applied, the root may fracture rather than the post.
A factory-made stainless steel or titanium post cemented into the canal, with a composite core shaped around it. A faster, more affordable alternative to cast posts, suitable for straightforward cases where canal anatomy is regular.
The technical execution of post placement matters as much as the material choice. How the canal is prepared, how the post is retained, and how the core integrates with the crown all affect longevity.
The canal walls are etched and treated with a bonding agent. The fibre post is coated with silane and luted with dual-cure resin cement. This creates a chemical bond between the post, cement, and root dentine — distributing stress evenly along the root rather than concentrating it at the apex.
Cast and prefabricated metal posts are retained with conventional dental cement rather than adhesive bonding. The post relies on friction fit within the canal walls and the mechanical properties of the cement. This approach has worked reliably for decades.
Once the post is placed, the core is shaped around it to recreate the tooth's form. The core must provide adequate height, taper, and circumferential support for the crown. For fibre posts, the composite core is sculpted chairside. For cast posts, the core is integral to the casting. The crown preparation is then completed on the core.
The post and core are placed with minimal discomfort. If the tooth has had root canal treatment, anaesthesia may not even be needed. Mild gum tenderness around the site is normal. Avoid chewing on the treated side until the permanent crown is placed.
Any lingering tenderness resolves. A temporary crown protects the build-up while the permanent crown is being fabricated. Continue eating on the opposite side and maintain gentle oral hygiene around the temporary.
Return for your permanent crown fitting. The fit, bite, and aesthetics are all checked. Once the crown is cemented, the restoration is complete and you can eat normally on the treated side.
The tooth and surrounding gum tissue have settled. The post, core, and crown function as a single integrated unit, restoring the tooth to full strength. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups protect the restoration long-term.
You can fly home once the permanent crown is cemented over the post and core — typically five to seven days after starting treatment. The procedure is non-surgical, so there are no wound-healing or altitude concerns. Your follow-up appointment to check the final crown confirms everything is seated and secure before departure.
Normal eating resumes as soon as the permanent crown is fitted over the post and core. While waiting for the crown to be fabricated, a temporary protects the build-up — during this period, chew on the opposite side and avoid sticky or hard foods. Once the final crown is cemented, the tooth is fully restored and you can eat without restriction.
The result is visible as soon as the permanent crown is cemented. The post and core provide the internal foundation, while the crown delivers the final appearance and function. There is no staged healing for the visible result — the tooth looks and works like a natural tooth from the moment the crown is placed.
Post and core is a well-established procedure with predictable outcomes. Risks are low when the root is healthy and the post is placed by an experienced dentist following established protocols.
Detailed X-rays assess root length, width, and health before a post is recommended. If the root is too short, too narrow, or shows signs of fracture, extraction and implant placement are discussed as the alternative.
Yes. Post placement is routine restorative dentistry performed under local anaesthesia in a standard dental chair. Our partner dentists are experienced in both fibre and cast-metal post systems and follow evidence-based protocols for canal preparation and bonding. The procedure carries minimal risk when the root is properly assessed beforehand.
The most important step is pre-operative imaging — a periapical X-ray or CBCT scan that shows root length, canal width, and any pathology at the root tip. Ensure the dentist preserves adequate root dentine during canal preparation (over-preparation weakens the root). Ask about the ferrule — at least 1.5–2mm of sound tooth structure above the core margin dramatically improves survival.
If the root is too short for a post, too thin-walled, fractured, or has unresolved infection at the apex, extraction followed by an implant or bridge is the more predictable path. A good dentist will tell you honestly when a tooth is not worth saving. Attempting a post and core on a compromised root leads to failure, which costs more in the long run than extracting and replacing from the start.
Post and core work is typically done by the same dentist placing the crown. Here is what to look for.
Our partner clinics have dedicated restorative departments with digital imaging, fibre and cast-metal post systems, and in-house labs for crown fabrication. The workflow from post placement to permanent crown is handled within the same clinic, eliminating the delays and communication gaps that occur when multiple providers are involved.
Our partner dentists are experienced in both fibre post bonding and cast-metal post systems. They understand the biomechanics of post-and-core design — specifically the relationship between post length, ferrule height, and force distribution — which is what determines whether a restored tooth lasts five years or fifteen.
Ask whether the dentist uses fibre posts as the default and under what circumstances they switch to cast metal. A dentist who discusses ferrule height and root dentine preservation during the consultation is thinking about long-term outcomes, not just getting the post in. Review X-rays with them so you understand the root anatomy before treatment starts.
Post and core results are not visible on their own — the crown is what you see. But the post and core is the reason the crown can be there at all.
A successfully restored post-and-core tooth functions identically to a crowned natural tooth. It bears full chewing forces, looks like a real tooth, and can last a decade or more. The post and core are entirely hidden beneath the crown — nobody sees or feels them. The only visible result is a complete, functional tooth where there was previously a broken stump.
Once the permanent crown is cemented over the core, the tooth is fully functional. You can eat on it normally, floss around it, and forget it is restored. The combined post-core-crown unit is strong enough for daily use and, with proper oral hygiene, delivers the same service life as a crown on a healthy tooth.
Post and core fits neatly into a crown trip. Here is how to plan it.
Five to seven days. The post and core are placed at the first appointment alongside tooth preparation for the crown. The lab fabricates the permanent crown over three to five days. The second appointment cements the crown. If multiple teeth need posts, they are all done on the same day.
Your care coordinator schedules appointments and handles communication. The treatment quote for the post and core covers consultation, imaging, post placement, core build-up, and temporary crown. The permanent crown is quoted separately. Flights and accommodation are arranged separately.
Post and core is almost always combined with crown work, and often with other treatments like root canals on adjacent teeth or additional crowns. Your coordinator will build a treatment schedule that sequences everything efficiently within your trip, maximising the value of your time in Thailand.
Everything you need to know before your treatment
Patient Care Director
Last reviewed: March 25, 2026
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional dental advice. Individual results, recovery times, and suitability vary. Always consult a qualified dentist before making decisions about treatment.
Speak with our care coordinators for a free, no-obligation consultation and personalised quote for your post and core restoration.
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