Crowns vs Fillings

The decision between a crown and a filling is one that we assist patients with on a daily basis. There is no correct response, and each patient will have unique reasons for choosing one option over the other.  

Let’s examine the distinctions between crowns and fillings. 

Fillings 

Typically, fillings are the initial treatment performed on a tooth to remove tooth decay or to restore teeth that have been chipped. After removing the decay, a tooth-coloured composite filling is inserted. Composite is a tooth-coloured material that adheres to teeth using a specialised dental glue. The putty is then solidified with a light, moulded, and polished to suit the tooth exactly.

When the decaying area is minor, fillings are effective since there is still a substantial amount of tooth to withstand the power of biting. When a tooth has a large filling or has several fillings, the risk of cracking is significantly increased. Many of our patients have amalgam fillings that expand and contract in response to changes in temperature. The tooth then fractures around the decayed restoration. This is one of the leading causes of tooth damage. 

Fillings have the great advantage of being both cost-effective and quick. If a lesion is tiny or a tooth is not already heavily filled, a filling is frequently the best treatment option.

Crowns 

When a tooth is fractured or has numerous fillings, a crown is the most durable alternative. A crown is similar to a cap or helmet that lies atop a tooth.  Crowns are often composed of porcelain and appear identical to natural teeth.

Crowns are highly effective at protecting teeth against cracks and fractures, much like a helmet protects your head. Crowns are extremely durable and enduring.

Our dentists at Withers Dental provide crowns on the same day. We are aware of our patients’ hectic schedules and find same-day crowns to be the most convenient alternative.

A crown is more expensive than a filling and requires a longer chair time, but it lasts substantially longer.

In Summary, the decision between a crown and a filling is determined by the demands of the particular patient and the severity of tooth disease. Crowns give durability and protection for teeth with fractures or many fillings, whereas fillings are cost-effective and suited for moderate tooth decay.

Key Takeaways

Fillings:

• Typically employed for minor tooth decay or tooth chipping
• Use of tooth-coloured composite material
• Rapid and cost-effective therapy
• Cracking danger rises with larger or numerous fillings.

Crowns:

• Option for teeth that are cracked or have many fillings.
• Typically composed of porcelain and imitating natural teeth
• Guard teeth from cracks and fractures.
• More costly and requiring longer chair time, but more durable
• Some dental practises offer crowns the same day.