It’s confusing to know what to do when you’re faced with deciding whether to get a dental crown or a filling when you’ve got tooth decay. Understanding the difference between them both will help you evaluate your options to make the most informed decision.
What is a filling?
A filling is used to restore small amounts of tooth decay. Small fillings can be used on any tooth. A dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth, clean the tooth and fill it with a resin that looks like your tooth enamel. You can have several fillings in one tooth, and they prevent the bacteria from entering further down the tooth and developing further. Your dentist may recommend a new filling or replace an older metal one with a new tooth-coloured one.
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are caps that fit directly over the top of an existing tooth. It’s used when a tooth is severely decayed or when there have been too many small fillings on one tooth, and the tooth is becoming weak. They can also be used to fix broken teeth and restore weakened teeth beyond repair with a small filling. The main difference between a dental crown and a filling is that a crown sits over the entire tooth and fillings fix over a hole.
The dentist will clean out any decay when treating your tooth for a crown much the way they would with a filling. The dentist will take an impression and mould of the tooth to be sent away, and a temporary cap will be placed until the permanent one comes back. Once it’s ready, the temporary one is removed, and the final crown is cemented into place.
Reasons for a crown
A crown is beneficial for many people as it is often opted for to:
- Restore a broken tooth
- Restore a very worn tooth
- Protect a weak tooth with decay from breaking
- hold a cracked tooth together
- Cover discoloured teeth
- Cover a tooth with a large filling that doesn’t have much support left
- Cover a tooth that’s had too many little fillings
Are crowns permanent?
Crowns can last over ten years with proper dental care and brushing and flossing regularly. For a crown to last, the crown must be properly fitted for each patient.
Differences between crowns v’s fillings
One of the most significant differences between crowns and fillings is that one protects the teeth significantly more. Crowns can strengthen teeth because they reinforce them. This is because they encase the tooth entirely. It can withstand force without the risk of being damaged. They are ideal for anyone looking to maintain as much of their natural tooth structure as possible.
At Withers Dental, we can help explain both procedures, so you have the correct information to make an informed decision. Contact us today for a consultation.