Your dentist will likely recommend a dental crown and filling for cavities or fractured or weakened teeth. In some cases, the procedures can be used together and sometimes interchangeably. Before the treatment, the dentist will review your dental damage to determine which treatment is ideal for you. It’s still important to understand the difference between filings and crowns before signing up for the treatments.
What is a Dental Filling?
When you have minor tooth damage, the standard solution would be a dental filling. A filling is a restorative material bonded into a tooth to repair the damage. Composite resin, gold, silver amalgam, and porcelain fill the filling material. Getting a filling is relatively straightforward, quick, and painless.
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Fillings are for minor dental damages. The dentist begins by cleaning the inside of the tooth to remove the decay and infection. Next, the tooth is cleaned and disinfected. The dentist then puts the filling material and molds it to naturalize the tooth. Lastly, the dentist polishes the tooth to a smooth and natural appearance.
Dental fillings are highly effective and help prevent the bacteria from spreading to the tooth’s pulp and eventually losing teeth. Dental fillings last for about 5-10 years with proper care, depending on the construction material.
What are Dental Crowns?
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A dental crown is a tooth-colored prosthetic cap placed onto the tooth to strengthen and protect a damaged tooth. Crowns are a variety of materials like porcelain, composite resin, gold, metal-fused porcelain, and much more. Crowns are customized to look and feel like your natural teeth.
A dental crown procedure typically requires two dental appointments. They shave a part of the tooth’s enamel on the first visit. If the tooth doesn’t have enough dental structure, the dentist uses a composite resin to rebuild the tooth for the crown to fit properly. They clean the tooth to get rid of any infection.
Dental crowns cover an implant and support a dental bridge apart from repairing teeth damage. With proper care, a crown lasts for about 5-15 years.
Factors when dental crowns are better than Fillings
Factors to consider when choosing crowns:
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- Size of the cavity
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A dental filling is good enough for small cavities to restore the tooth’s health. When cavities and decay go untreated for a long period, it spreads and gets bigger. Eventually, it infects the tooth’s pulp. If the decay affects a large portion of the tooth, the dentist will suggest a crown to reinstate the tooth’s structure.
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- Tooth condition
If a tooth structure is significantly compromised, the tooth has probably become weaker and can’t withstand any more drilling. Similarly, the tooth can’t withstand normal chewing and biting, making it vulnerable to teeth cracks and breaks. It can also cause pain and stress on the jaw and surrounding teeth. Since a crown covers the entire visible part of the tooth, it can prevent plaque and bacteria from spreading further. The crown also strengthens the tooth, giving it enough force to support normal chewing and biting.
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- Broken and cracked tooth
A crown is customized to cover the entire visible part of the tooth. It’s ideal for repairing severe tooth damage such as cracks, breaks, and chips. The crown holds the tooth together and covers it, protecting it from further damage that can increase the risk of decay.
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- Root Canal
The dentist may suggest root canal therapy when decay has reached the tooth’s pulp. The root canal removes the decayed and infected tissues and nerves to stop the infection. If a large part of the tooth is infected, cleaning it makes it hollow and weaker. The dentist can fill the tooth and then place a crown to prevent re-infection and strengthen the tooth.
When are fillings ideal?
- For minor tooth cracks and chips
- For minor cavities and tooth decay
- When you have a limited budget, fillings are less expensive than crowns. Unfortunately, fillings might not be sufficient to repair the damage, making you vulnerable to further damage and possibly leading to tooth loss, implants, or bridges.
When are crowns best?
- To hold together with tooth cracks, chips, and breaks
- To cover a large filling
- To strengthen a weakened tooth
- To cover an implant
- To protect severely discolored or stained teeth
- To support a bridge
Schedule an Appointment Today
For more information about dental fillings in Chestnut Hill, MA and full porcelain crown treatments, contact Hammond Pond Dental Group.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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