“Function & Aesthetics Matter!”
You start off your day by having a productive 8 hours, then you choose to visit a local bar with your friends. You order a couple of pizzas and begin to enjoy the savory pizza sauce, cheese, multiple meat flavors and a thick extra crunchy crust.
Little did you know that for the past few months, a cavity has seeped into your tooth enamel and created a hollow space in your tooth. The cavity has for months gotten closer and closer to the edge of the tooth enamel creating a major lack of integrity in the tooth’s structure.
As you continue to bite into the pizza, you get closer and closer to the thick extra crunchy crust waiting to obliterate your tooth out of existence. When you finally reach the crust, the pressure on the enamel makes your tooth crack, split apart and fall, and all you’re left with is from the root downwards to the base of the enamel.
You decide to call your local dentist who will probably recommend one of the two options based on your personal situation, either fillings or crowns. It’s good to know the pros and cons, so that you can make an informed decision.
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Crown vs Filling: What’s the Difference
A filling is generally used to treat minor tooth decay or minor damages. It can be a very affordable option that is done without needing to take impressions. You also don’t need the use of advanced dental technology such as a CT or 3D cat scan. A filling can also be completed in a single dental visit.
A crown is recommended when the tooth is severely damaged or decayed. It is more expensive than a filling, and traditional methods require the dentist to take impressions of your teeth. Depending on your dentist, it will take more than one visit to complete, because a custom crown must be made. This takes about to weeks to send to the lab, prior to your next visit for placement.
Other dentists have upgraded their dental equipment, such as in our practice, to allow for same day dental crown service within the hour. Ask your dentist if this is an option they provide. If you’re located in the city of Las Vegas, you can rely on our practice to provide this dental service.
Getting a Filling
Getting a filling is a fairly simple process. In most cases, it can be completed in less than an hour. Your dentist will numb the tooth and the area of the mouth surrounding, it with a numbing agent. Your dentist will drill the tooth to remove all of the decay.
The hole that is left behind after drilling is then filled with either composite resin, porcelain, silver amalgam, or gold. Which material is used is determined by the size and severity of the cavity, your age and in some cases your preference.
Silver amalgam is most often used for fillings and has been for centuries, but porcelain is very popular because it can be matched to the natural tooth. Our practice at Functional Aesthetic Dentistry uses porcelain and similar products, because to our practice, both “Function & Aesthetics Matter!”
Overall, the procedure is fairly painless and can be done fairly quickly.
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Getting a Crown
Getting a A traditional crown placement procedure is not as straightforward as a filling. This used to take two visits unless you are seeing a same-day crown dentist. Traditionally, on the first visit, the dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by shaving it down. Your mouth is numbed for this procedure just like it would be for the filling.
After the tooth is prepped, impressions of your tooth will be made. This can be done with a mold or with a digital CT scan. Before you leave, the dentist will put a temporary crown in place to prevent any pain while you wait for your permanent crown. Your tooth impression is then sent to a lab and your crown is custom built. This conventional process takes a couple of weeks on average.
On your second visit, the dentist will replace your temporary crown with the permanent one. Before cementing it in place, he or she will make sure that it fits well, is comfortable in your mouth, and matches the color of the surrounding teeth.
If you are seeing a same-day crown dentist, the process will be quite similar. However, it will be done in one to two hours. This is a vast improvement over the traditional 2 weeks methods of shipping to a lab and waiting to receive a finished product.
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Crown vs Filling: The Size of the Dental Issue Matters
If your dental issue is small, a filling can be an excellent choice. They tend to last five years or more, and they prevent the decay from spreading to the root of the tooth. A crown on the other hand, can be the best option for a broken, cracked, or heavily decayed tooth. Opting for a crown placement gives you better protection and prevents an already damaged tooth from deteriorating any further.
If too much filling is applied with too little tooth to support it, the tooth can become unstable. It may not be able to withstand the force of biting or chewing. It could lose its integrity and break off completely. Plus, an overly filled tooth can be painful and cause stress on the jaw.
Crown placements are not as limiting as fillings, and they can be used to correct a problem even if there is very little natural tooth remaining. They are much stronger than a filling and far less likely to loosen or require further repairs. Many people prefer crowns because of the natural function they offer. Plus, a crown placement looks and feels natural in the mouth.
Crown vs Filling: How to Choose the Best Option
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may have no choice but to opt for the crown. If your tooth is completely broken or the crack is large, the dentist will likely not offer to do a filling.
Other times, the best course of action will be either a crown placement or a filling. If that is the case, you should make sure that the dentist addresses all of your questions and concerns regarding both alternatives.
