How Dental Crowns and Fillings are Different
Our dentists in Plymouth, MI, use both dental crowns and fillings to restore teeth. However, it’s important to remember that each patient is different. Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend one procedure over the other to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible and ensure the health of your smile.
If you suspect that you need restorative dental care, please don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule an appointment. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about porcelain dental crowns and composite resin fillings.
Quick Comparison of Crowns and Fillings
Crowns:
- Severely damaged or decayed tooth
- Takes 2 dental visits
- More expensive
- Requires impressions
- Covers decayed teeth
Fillings:
- Minor tooth damage or decay
- Takes 1 dental visit
- More affordable
- No impressions
- Fills in decayed teeth
What You Should Know About Fillings
There are many reasons why we may recommend a dental filling to restore your smile. Below, we’ve listed some of the top benefits and features of the filling procedure.
Restore Teeth with Small Cavities
Small cavities often call for fillings. If the damage done to the tooth is minimal, you might be able to get away with just having a filling done. Fillings can be preferred over dental crowns because they are completed within a single visit to our office.
Avoid Dental Impressions if Possible
Unlike the , we won’t need to take dental impressions. Instead, we remove the cavity and apply the filling restoration directly to your tooth. No dental lab needed! This means that your treatment will take less time and cost less money.
Preserve as Much Enamel as Possible
As the name suggests, fillings are made out of composite resin and fill in small areas in your tooth that have decayed or been otherwise damaged. Many patients appreciate fillings because they are less invasive than dental crowns.
To prepare a tooth for a porcelain crown, the natural enamel must be filed down so the crown can easily fit over the top. With fillings, you are preserving as much enamel as possible to fill in only those areas that are damaged.
also match the color of your natural tooth enamel which is perfect for teeth that show when you smile and talk.
Little to No Recovery Time Needed
The recovery period for a filling is short. After any local anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to eat and speak normally. Some minor sensitivity is normal right after your appointment, but it should dissipate fairly quickly.
What You Should Know About Crowns
When your teeth are severely damaged or decayed, you’re better off spending the extra money for a porcelain dental crown. Below, we’ve listed some of the top benefits and features of the dental crown procedure.
Restore Teeth with Significant Damage
Dental crowns are different from fillings because they cover the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line. In fact, some of our patients call them “tooth caps.” For intensive repair, a filling wouldn’t be capable of properly restoring the tooth to its natural function and appearance.
Enjoy a Durable, Long-Lasting Crown
Dental crowns help protect the underlying tooth enamel from experiencing further damage and sensitivity. Since crowns cap your underlying teeth, they are more durable and usually last for longer periods of time than dental fillings.
Strengthen Teeth
An experienced dentist will be able to advise you on whether a crown is necessary for the amount of tooth damage present. Teeth that have been weakened by repeated treatments may also benefit by being fitted for crowns.
Don’t Wait to Seek Dental Care
If you’re reading this, odds are you’re experiencing a toothache or your current dentist has detected a cavity. In this case, quick action is needed to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible. The sooner you act, the sooner we can treat your cavity and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the tooth or even adjacent teeth.
Discover if You Need a Filling or Crown
Wondering if you need to restore your tooth ASAP? Schedule an appointment with one of our . They’d be more than happy to help you explore your treatment options so you can make an informed decision for your smile. To book your next visit with us, call Plymouth Dentistry at (734) 459-7110. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.