Fillings vs. Crowns: What’s the Difference?

Fillings and crowns are dental restoration techniques that can help to improve the appearance and function of your teeth. There are differences between the two techniques, but they both serve the same purpose. They help to restore a decayed or damaged tooth.

A dentist may recommend one or the other depending on the condition of your teeth. It is vital to understand the difference between the two so that you can get the best treatment solution.

Dental Fillings

If a tooth has a cavity, a dental filling is a typical solution. Cavities are the result of bacteria that eat away the tooth enamel resulting in a hole or cavity. Using a drill, the dentist will remove the decayed section of the tooth before filling it.

The filling material can be composite resin, porcelain, gold, or silver amalgam. Fillings are a simple and effective solution that can help to restore the tooth to its original condition. Fillings usually last about five years or sometimes longer.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns work much like fillings to prevent further decay. Unlike fillings, crowns work by completely covering the tooth. Crowns can be used to reconstruct teeth that are broken or cracked. They are made from porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, gold, or resin.

The crowns are made in a lab using impressions of a patient’s teeth. They are created to look and feel like natural teeth. The dentist will remove the damaged tooth before placing the crown in the space. Dental crowns can last between five and 15 years.

Dental Appointments

The dental filling procedure is usually completed in one appointment. After numbing the area, the dentist will drill and fill the cavity in one visit. Dental crowns will require two visits. During the initial visit, the dentist will fill the space before placing a temporary crown.

The patient will return for a second appointment where the temporary crown will be replaced with a permanent one. The dental crown procedure takes longer and costs more. A dental crown procedure can cost 10 times more than a dental filling treatment.

Size of the Cavity

One of the most important factors for determining whether to use dental fillings or crowns is the size of the cavity. Tiny holes can be treated easily using a standard filling. When a cavity is not treated early, it grows bigger and deeper.

Even a tooth that has a filling can develop a second cavity. If the cavity takes up much of the tooth, the dentist will usually recommend a crown. If most of the affected tooth is made of filling material, a dental crown is the best option.

Condition of the Tooth

If a tooth is composed of more filling material than a natural tooth, it is a good time to get a crown. A tooth made of mostly filling will be unstable and is too weak to support functions like chewing and biting. This can cause further breaking or cracking of the tooth, pain, and stress on the surrounding jaw and teeth. Dental crowns are a good solution for broken, chipped, and cracked teeth. A crown is designed to feel and look like a natural tooth.

To know more about fillings and crowns, visit Cal Oaks Dental at our office in Murrieta, California. You can also call (951) 501-4900 to book an appointment today.