Crown vs. Filling: What’s the Difference?

Whether a crown or a filling is the best option will vary on a case-by-case basis.
 
Fillings are best when there are no cracks in the teeth. Cracked teeth aren’t recommended for fillings, but teeth that are in good condition are. To repair and replace the decayed tooth structure, the filling relies on the tooth’s strength. When the decayed area is small, fillings can be an excellent option. Fillings are the best and safest option for minor repairs. A filling costs less than a crown, and it only requires one dental visit versus two for a crown. However, you shouldn’t compromise your dental health due to finances or an extra visit. If a tooth is not properly repaired, it may require a root canal, bridge, implant, or denture in the long run.
 
A crown can help extend a cracked tooth’s life and is the best option in that scenario. In order to prevent further breakdown of a cracked tooth, a crown is the best way to hold it together. When a larger portion of the tooth needs filling a crown is the best option. There is no guarantee that a filling will protect the tooth for the long term. A crown may be a better option if a large portion of the tooth needs to be filled. When you chew, the filling can act like a wedge, putting pressure on the tooth and causing fractures. You may be able to avoid additional visits and costs in the future if you place a crown earlier. A crown is a good choice when your tooth is weak. In order to avoid dental implants and dentures, you should get a crown to prevent it from cracking and weakening further. A crown can cover a misshapen or discolored tooth. In terms of appearance, a crown resembles a regular tooth. Color, size, and shape will be matched to make sure it is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

A dental crown is also known as a dental cap. By completely covering a tooth, they can prevent future decay, just like fillings. Broken or cracked teeth can also be repaired with crowns. Crowns are usually made of ceramic, or porcelain fused with metal, resin, or gold. From impressions of the patient’s teeth, they are crafted in a lab and made to look and feel like natural teeth.
 
A filling does not prevent you from getting a crown but a dentist will remove decay or old fillings before placing a crown. The empty space will be filled with a composite material and usually covered with a temporary crown. In a second appointment, the dentist will replace the temporary crown with the permanent one, sealing it into place.

If the decay is discovered before it becomes severe, dental fillings are highly effective. By doing so, the bacteria will be prevented from spreading and the tooth’s health will be restored. The average life expectancy of a dental filling is about five years.
 
On the other hand, dental crowns are like tooth caps. The crowns completely cover teeth that have suffered structural damage from decay, breakage, or fracture. A dental crown can last between five and fifteen years if properly cared for.

If a tooth has been filled too many times, a crown may be needed. The reason for this is that the tooth becomes weaker as more fillings are placed on top of it. It will soon be unable to handle normal chewing and biting. As a result, the tooth may crack or break completely. Additionally, a tooth with a large filling or several small fillings is susceptible to pulpitis, a bacterial infection of the root. An infection will be prevented by the crown.
 
Crowns and fillings are available at Allure Dental Center. For more information, call us to talk to our professionals. We serve patients from Mountain View CA, Sunnyvale CA, Los Altos CA, Stanford CA, Menlo Park CA, Atherton CA, Loyola CA, Cupertino CA, Palo Alto CA, Redwood City CA, and surrounding Bay Area Cities.