Dental Filling vs Crown: What should you choose? Keep reading to can make the best decision!
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns, often known as porcelain crowns, are a coat that covers the visible area of the tooth. The form of each crown is determined by the original tooth. The benefit of porcelain crowns over metal-based crowns is an aesthetic component, since the replacement appears like the original, which is significant if you obtain the crown for your front teeth.
Why are Dental Crowns Needed?
You may want to consider a porcelain crown if you:
- Have you recently had a dental injury? Would you want to prevent a weak tooth from fracture or fix a cracked, worn-out tooth?
- An anchor is required for a dental bridge to keep it in place.
- Want to reshape a crooked tooth, to enhance your smile
- To cover and support the teeth by replacing a filling that has gone loose or dropped out.
- Have been treated with a root canal treatment.
See more: Porcelain veneers
What is the Process of Dental Crown Treatment?
Porcelain crown treatment often requires two appointments. Because your tooth has been prepped for the porcelain crown. The dentist will take X-rays of the tooth and the bone around it during the initial appointment. If there are any following problems, you may require root canal treatment:
- Tooth decay.
- Risk of infection.
- Injury to the tooth’s pulp.
The dentist will next locate and remove any vulnerable areas of the tooth to give space for a temporary crown. If your tooth has lost too much of its structure, a filling can be utilized to expand your tooth before the crown covers it.
After the natural tooth is ready, a paste or putty is used to make a copy of the tooth. The copies will also be made for the teeth above and below the tooth that’s getting the dental crown. The involved impressions are to ensure that the crown will not interfere with your eating.
The impressions will be delivered to a laboratory. The crowns will be made in a laboratory, which usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. While you wait for the permanent crown, your prepped tooth will be repaired with a temporary crown before your next appointment.
The second appointment is generally within the following two weeks, during which your temporary crown will be removed and the permanent crown will be examined. If everything is in order, the gum tissue behind your teeth will be numbed and the new crown will be placed.
Dental crown treatment in one day. If your dentist has the required equipment, dental crowns can also be manufactured in the office. This operation is carried out in the same manner as the conventional method, beginning with the removal of decay and contouring of the tooth to guarantee a complete fit inside the crown.
Because permanent crowns are manufactured in a single day, the next stage is different from the previous technique. Scanning equipment (sometimes known as a “wand”) is used to obtain digital images of the tooth inside your mouth. These photos are analyzed by computer software, which creates a 3D model of the tooth. The computerized design is then sent to a second in-house machine, which cuts a ceramic block into the shape of the crown. This technique is known as computer-aided or computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). The crown is ready to be cemented into place in about 15 minutes.
What is Dental Filling?
Tooth fillings are made to restore teeth that have been worn down, including cracked or fractured teeth (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding).
Your dentist will first remove the affected portion of the tooth before filling the hole left on the tooth where the decayed material was removed.
Dental Fillings Procedure
To start the tooth fillings procedure, the dentist will initially use a local anesthetic to temporarily numb the tissue around the tooth. Next, a drill, air abrasion tool, or laser will be used to remove the decaying area. The tool selection is influenced by the dentist’s comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of equipment, as well as the location and severity of the decay.
Your dentist will then probe or check the area to see if all of the decay has been removed. The dentist will prepare the space for the filling as soon as the decay has been entirely removed by cleaning out the cavity of bacteria and debris.
Your dentist must place a liner composed of glass ionomer, composite resin, or another substance to protect the nerve if the decay has already spread close to the root. Your dentist will frequently polish and finalize the tooth fillings after they have been placed.
The additional actions below must be taken in order to get dental fillings that fit your teeth. Before systematically putting the tooth-colored material on, your dentist will first remove the decay and clean the area. Then, each layer is “cured” or made harder using a certain light. The dentist will mold the composite material to get the desired outcome after completing the multilayering procedure, cut off any extra material, and polish the finished repair.

Dental Filling vs Crown
To determine which option (dental fillings vs crown) would be more effective, a dentist will consider the following factors:
Size of the cavity
One of the factors that influences the decision between a dental filling and a dental crown is the size of the cavity. When tooth decay is left untreated for an extended period of time, it grows larger and deeper. If the cavity is discovered in time, a filling will suffice. If the decay has affected a large portion of the tooth, the dentist will recommend a dental crown.
Tooth condition
If a tooth has been filled too many times, a crown may be necessary. The reason for this is that as more fillings replace the original structure of the tooth, it becomes weaker. It will soon be too weak to withstand normal biting and chewing. This can cause the tooth to crack or completely break. A tooth with a large filling or several small fillings is also susceptible to pulpitis, which is a bacterial infection of the root. The crown will keep the tooth from becoming infected.
Broken or cracked teeth
A crown is made to look like a natural tooth, making it ideal for repairing chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. The crown will shield the tooth from further damage that could lead to infection. Regardless of the severity of the damage, using a dental filling to restore a cracked tooth is impractical.
Root canal
If the core of a tooth becomes infected, the dentist will clean it out, but the loss of the core leaves the tooth hollow and weak. The only way to save the tooth from extraction is to perform a root canal and place a dental crown over it.
Summary
When you visit the dentist, they will advise you on the best option for restoring your tooth to its original state, which will be either a dental filling or a dental crown. Make an appointment with BeDental at here
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