It's common to get perplexed by dental jargon. If you're not in the industry yourself, it may be easier to nod and smile while you're being treated than it is to inquire about every detail of each procedure that has been suggested to you.
But if you've ever wondered what makes crowns and fillings—the two most popular treatments for dental decay—different, we can fill you in.
Let's start by briefly explaining why you might require a crown or a filling: tooth decay. Sadly, it does occur. Your tooth enamel is worn down by acid (from food or bacteria), which also leaves a space for bacteria to enter and settle in. If left untreated, tooth decay will only worsen, become excruciatingly painful, and cost a lot of money.
Your dentist's first lines of defense against additional tooth decay are fillings and crowns. So let’s understand what is Filling and what is Crowns.
Crown vs. Fillings: The Difference
Different dental problems are treated with crowns and fillings. In general, crowns are used for more serious decay whereas fillings are used for more manageable damage. However, the causes for each differ.
Two dental terms—direct and indirect restorations—can be used to describe the main distinction. A filling results from a direct restoration that is carried out inside the mouth. The components of an indirect restoration, like a crown, are constructed or manufactured outside the mouth.
What are Crowns?
A crown is a prosthetic tooth that is affixed to the top of your natural tooth and is typically composed of ceramic or porcelain. To stop additional decay, a tooth with substantial damage receives a crown. Crowns can make speaking and chewing more simpler and they mimic actual teeth in appearance.
When You Should Go For Crowns? - Ideal Situation for Crowns
1. Your Tooth Is Cracked
A crown can make a tooth last longer. A crown is the greatest way to hold a broken tooth together so that it won't break further because a cracked tooth won't mend.
2. The Tooth Requires Filling In A Sizable Area
A filling may not always provide long-term dental protection. A crown might be a better solution if a significant amount of the tooth needs to be filled. When you chew, the filling may function as a wedge, applying pressure to the tooth and increasing the risk of fractures. By placing a crown earlier, you might avoid future visits and costs.
3. You Have A Weak Tooth
If at all possible, stay away from dentures and dental implants as they can prevent the tooth from breaking and deteriorating further.
5. You Wish To Cover A Tooth That Is Malformed Or Discolored
A crown resembles a typical tooth. To ensure that it is both visually beautiful and practical, the dentist will match the color, size, and shape.
What Does Crowns Do? - Problems that Crowns Solve
- Severe tooth damage
- Severe tooth decay
- Cracked tooth
- Weakened tooth
- Discolored tooth
- Misaligned tooth
How Do You Get the Crown? - The Crown Procedure
- The first step is to visit the dentist, who will examine the problem there. X-rays will probably be used in this.
- Any decay is removed and your tooth is prepped. Typically, local anesthetic is used to perform this. This makes it possible to top your teeth with a crown.
- In order to create the crown, a dental lab needs an impression of your tooth. An interim crown will be positioned throughout this procedure.
- Once the permanent crown has been created, the next step is a last-minute visit to the dentist. It is attached to your tooth using a unique glue. To ensure the fit is ideal, your dentist will examine your bite.
The recovery period following a crown surgery is typically brief. It's possible for you to feel a little sensitive or inflamed; this is a common reaction and should pass in a few days. Your mouth will remain numb for a few hours following the session if a local anesthetic was used during the operation. Make cautious not to chew on the inside surfaces of your lips or cheeks when you can't feel them. In order to give the crown time to acclimate, you should also stay away from sticky, chewy, and hard foods for the first 24 hours.
What are Fillings?
Dental materials including silver, porcelain, and composite resin are used to create fillings. They are put into tiny holes that deterioration has created in your teeth. Fillings that are installed correctly can last for many years and prevent deterioration from wearing down your teeth.
What Do Fillings Do? - Problems that Fillings Solve
- Cavities
- Tooth damage (with no large cracks)
- Tooth wear
- Minor tooth discoloration
When You Should Go For Fillings? - Ideal Situation for Fillings
1. When There is No Crack
Cracked teeth aren't ideal candidates for fillings, but teeth that are generally healthy are. Since the filling's function is to repair and replace the tooth structure that has been harmed by decay, the filling depends on the tooth's durability to perform.
2. Too Small Decayed Area
Fillings are the best and most secure solution for little repairs.
3. When the Cost is a Concern
Compared to crowns, fillings are less expensive and only need one dentist visit. Having said that, you shouldn't sacrifice your dental health in order to save money or make a second appointment. In the long term, a poorly restored tooth may cost more since it may need a root canal, bridge, implant, or denture.
How Do You Get the Fillings? - The Filling Procedure
- During a dental examination, your dentist finds a cavity or other minor damage that needs to be repaired. This may require X-rays in order to completely investigate the problem.
- Your dentist will first numb the region before using specialized equipment to remove the decay and prepare the area for filling.
- A specific light is used to position and set the filling.
- Your teeth will be polished in the final step, and your bite will be examined.
After a tooth-filling surgery, there is little to no recovery time. There can be a small amount of sensitivity, but it should go away in a few days. Again, you should avoid chewing on the insides of your cheeks and lips for a few hours since your mouth can feel numb. For the first 24 hours, it's best to stay away from tough and chewy meals.
Factors That Influence Your Choice Between Crowns Or Fillings
A dentist will take into account the following elements to decide which option (dental fillings or a crown) would be more effective:
1. Size of the Cavity
One of the criteria used to determine whether to use a dental filling or a dental crown is the size of the cavity. Long-term untreated tooth decay grows deeper and larger. A filling will do as long as the cavity is found in time. The dentist will recommend a dental crown if the decay has significantly damaged the tooth.
2. Condition of Your Teeth
A crown may be necessary if a tooth has had too many fillings. The tooth weakens as additional fillings replace its original structure, which is the cause of this. It will eventually lose its ability to endure normal biting and chewing. The tooth could break totally or crack as a result of this. A tooth with a number of little fillings or a large filling is more prone to pulpitis, a bacterial infection of the tooth's root. The tooth will be shielded from infection by the crown.
3. Teeth with Cracks or Breaks
A crown may be made to look just like a natural tooth, making it the ideal restoration for teeth that have been cracked, chipped, or fractured. The tooth will be shielded by the crown from further harm that could cause an infection. No matter how severe the damage, using a dental filling to repair a broken tooth is unfeasible.
4. Root Canal
When a tooth's core becomes infected, the dentist can remove the infection, but the tooth becomes hollow and weaker as a result of losing its core. The only way to prevent the extraction of the tooth is to perform a root canal and cover it with a dental crown.
Schedule Your Dental Consultation Now..!!
Contact our Dental Experts at Local Dental Clinic Deniliquin, if you want to learn more about dental crowns and fillings. Our dentists are prepared to make your appointment as simple and comfortable as they can. Local Dental Clinic is one of the best options for dental crowns and fillings. Book your Dental appointment right away to put all of your dental worries at ease.
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