It can be challenging to determine the appropriate course of treatment when one of your teeth is giving you trouble. After all, there are numerous restorative dental procedures available. Knowing the key distinctions between dental crowns and fillings, two of the most popular methods of preventing tooth decay, will help you decide which one is best for you.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
A crown is a prosthetic tooth that is permanently attached on top of your natural tooth and is typically made of ceramic or porcelain. To stop further decay, a tooth with significant damage receives a crown. Dental crowns can make speaking and chewing much easier and they resemble real teeth in appearance.
How Much Tooth does a Crown Require?
Although crowns can be used on teeth with significant damage, sometimes the degree of tooth damage may be too great. At least one-fourth of the tooth must still be present and unaffected by decay for a crown to be effective.
Your dentist might advise using composite resin if there isn’t enough tooth structure left to offer support. To strengthen the remaining tooth structure, thin layers of composite resin can be used. The dentist can then place a crown once these layers have solidified.
How Do Fillings Work?
Silver, porcelain, and composite resin are among the dental materials used to create fillings. They are inserted into tiny holes that decay has created in your teeth. Fillings that are installed correctly can last for many years and prevent decay from corroding your teeth.
Fillings vs. Crowns: Which Do I Need?
For teeth with minor damage, fillings are used; for teeth with more severe decay, dental crowns are used. A filling is placed inside a tooth, whereas a crown is placed on top of a damaged tooth.
- Before filling in a cavity, the dentist uses a special tool to scrape away the decayed area.
- The dentist simply covers your natural tooth with the prosthetic when you get a crown.
Visit your Lynnwood dentist right away if you believe you have tooth decay to stop the situation from getting worse. After a certain amount of time, damage or decay may begin to compromise the integrity of your tooth, necessitating more involved procedures. Your dentist will examine your tooth during your appointment to decide whether a crown or filling is the better solution.
Request a Free Dental Crown Consultation Today
Contact the knowledgeable staff at Cedar View Dental for more information if you’re interested in dental crowns. Your visit will be as easy and as comfortable as possible thanks to our dentists. For fillings and dental crowns in Lynnwood, there is no better choice than us! Contact our Lynnwood office right away to set up an appointment.