A dental crown is different from a dental filling. However, they are both used to repair a damaged or decayed tooth. If your dentist uses one of these options over the other, ask them why. Your dentist’s goal is to restore the affected tooth’s appearance and function while helping you avoid incurring unnecessary costs.
What to Know About Dental Crowns and Fillings
If a tooth sustains decay or cavities, your dentist will usually recommend a filling. Your dental filling can be made of porcelain, silver amalgam, gold, or composite resin. This is a straightforward and painless process. Dental fillings are quite effective when the decay is detected before it gets serious. This will prevent the spread of bacteria and restore the health of the tooth. In general, fillings last for around 5 years or longer.
Meanwhile, a tooth crown in north central phoenix covers a tooth that has sustained structural impairment because of decay, fracture, or breakage. It is customized to feel and look like a real tooth. Tooth crowns tend to cost more than fillings and can last from 5 to 15 years when properly taken care of.
Should You Choose a Crown or Filling?
To determine the right option for you, your dentist will take the following factors into account:
- Cavity size. When not treated, tooth decay gets bigger and deeper. If detected on time, a dental filling can address the issue. But if the decay has impacted a big part of your tooth, a dental crown may be recommended.
- Tooth condition. If the affected tooth has been filled several times, a crown may be necessary. As more fillings have replaced the tooth’s original structure, the tooth becomes weaker over time. Soon, this tooth will not withstand normal chewing and biting. When this happens, it can crack or break completely. Plus, the tooth can become vulnerable to root infection after being filled many times. A tooth crown will protect this tooth from the infection.
- Tooth problem. A dental crown is customized to mimic the look of your real tooth. This makes it the best option to repair a chipped, broken, or cracked tooth. The dental crown will protect your tooth from further damage. Using a tooth filling to fix a cracked tooth is not a practical decision.
- Root canal treatment. If the affected tooth’s core is infected, the infection should be cleaned out. However, as the tooth loses its core, it becomes hollow and weak. Doing a root canal treatment and putting a crown over the affected tooth will save it from removal.
