Dental Crown vs Filling: What to Consider When Choosing

Today’s dentists offer more solutions to patients than at any time in the past. When you have a damaged tooth, the recommended solution may call for tooth crowns in Mississauga or some sort of filling may be in order. In some cases, the dentist will recommend both. Here are some things you should know about dental crowns and fillings, what each one will do, and why you may need both.

Dental Crowns and How They are Used

Most family dentists recommend crowns when there is the need to repair a tooth that is chipped or cracked. In this scenario, the dentist will likely recommend installing dental veneers as a way to add more strength to the tooth. The crown adds more strength and helps to keep the veneers in position. If there is a chipped area along the top of the tooth, the crown can be shaped to fill in the space and restore the natural contours of that broken tooth.

Crowns are also helpful with different kinds of dental bridges. In order for a bridge to fit and remain in place, there must be some way of anchoring it between the healthy teeth. The most common approach involves removing enamel from the top of the adjacent teeth and installing crowns that are also attached to the bridge. Once they are in position, those crowns ensure the bridge will not slip out of place and the artificial tooth filling the gap has a more natural look.

How About Fillings?

Fillings are commonly associated with reparative dental methods that are necessary due to tooth decay. The dentist removes the decayed portion, leaving a hole that must be filled. The filling material is introduced and the top is shaped to resemble the natural shape of the tooth. Some people opt for fillings that have the appearance of different metals. Others will opt for a composite filling that is designed to blend in with the teeth. Once the filling is firmly in place, the tooth is protected and it could be a number of years before any additional work is needed.

Are Fillings and Crowns Ever Used Together?

Depending on the size and depth of the cavity, a dental professional may recommend that the patient have a filling topped with a crown. The idea is to provide more reinforcement for a tooth that is already weakened by the tooth decay. A combination of a filling and a crown restores most of the lost strength and lessens the potential for more damage due to chewing. This combination is often recommended when the tooth in question is a molar.

Remember that your dentist will recommend the treatment or series of treatments that produce the best possible result. Depending on the condition that needs correction, dental crowns may be all that you need. At other times, a filling will be the best bet. You may even need both. Work together and it won’t take long to come up with the solution that’s right for you.