If you have cavities, weakened or fractured teeth, or other dental problems, you will likely need a crown or filling. Both of these dental procedures restore stability and preserve damaged teeth. How does a dentist determine which treatment you need?
Often, a dentist will rely on several factors to decide the best treatment plan. It is essential to learn the difference between a crown vs filling to understand what these are.
Tooth Filling
Dentists make fillings by bonding material into a tooth, and they serve two primary purposes. First and foremost, they are needed to remove tooth decay and cavities while preventing additional damage. Secondly, they are necessary to restore the tooth function.
To fill a cavity, your dentist will numb the area to make the procedure more comfortable for you. Then, they will drill out and remove the decay in your tooth. Finally, they will replace it with filling material.
The most popular varieties of filling materials are composite and amalgam. The most desirable is composite because it blends with your tooth’s color and is barely noticeable. In contrast, amalgam is silver in color.
Dentists usually recommend fillings when the tooth is in good condition and not cracked. If the tooth is not strong enough or has cracks, the filling will not be able to restore the tooth fully, and later it will require more intensive treatment. For this reason, fillings are optimal when cavities and decayed areas are small.
Dental Crown
Crowns are prosthetic devices, like a cap, that dentists cement onto teeth to cover and protect them. They are custom made to fit your teeth. Nowadays, they are made mostly from porcelain or ceramic and look almost identical to real teeth.
Your dentist will prepare the tooth by filing it down and removing the outer layer before making your crown. Then, they will make an impression of the area so your new crown will fit perfectly. It may take several days for the lab to fabricate the crown, so in the meantime, your dentist will insert a temporary one over your tooth.
Unfortunately, a cracked tooth can’t be put back together or heal. However, a crown can help extend the tooth’s lifespan and prevent further decay. The same is true when a tooth is weak or has a large cavity.
If your dentist recommends this cavity treatment, they will indeed explain all about dental crowns. Of course, it is vital to maintain good hygiene if you want your crown to last for more than a decade.
Crown vs Filling
As you can see, crowns and fillings are used to repair teeth, but crowns are the best option when teeth are critically damaged. The best way to know whether you need a crown vs filling is to go to the dentist. They can confirm the severity of the decay or cavity as trained professionals and create a treatment plan specifically for you.
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