If you are between the ages of 20 and 64 – and you have teeth – then there is an almost 90% chance you have tooth decay. It only makes sense that dental science should have developed multiple treatments for so prevalent a condition. Dental crowns and dental fillings are two of them.
Despite serving a similar purpose, crowns and fillings are very different from one another. In this brief yet beautifully written article, we will lay out the differences between crowns and fillings so you can make a more informed choice about your dental care needs.
What Is a Crown?
A tooth doesn’t necessarily require replacement when it is badly decayed, chipped, cracked or broken. If that tooth is securely anchored to the jaw and still has a functional root, then it may be possible to restore its appearance and functionality by fitting it with a cap. This artificial cover (which may be made of metal, porcelain, ceramic or resin) is called a crown. In addition to fortifying the tooth and protecting it against further damage, a crown looks nearly indistinguishable from the part of the tooth it replaces.
What Is a Filling?
A filling is also intended to repair a tooth that is damaged but not in need of replacement. The majority of fillings are “direct fillings,” where the dentist fills in the decayed part of the tooth during their patient’s single required office visit. Direct fillings are commonly made of amalgam, resin composite or glass ionomer. Dentists also occasionally provide “indirect fillings,” which involves creating a dental impression during one visit and then placing it during a subsequent one.
Key Differences Between Crowns and Fillings
So far we have seen that crowns and fillings share a similar application: fitting a natural tooth with a durable barrier against further decay and/or damage. But when we examine the two treatments side by side, their differences quickly become apparent.
The primary difference between a crown and a filling is the severity of the damage they are intended to rectify. Crowns are typically reserved for severely damaged teeth. In contrast, fillings are appropriate for treating teeth with minor damage.
Only a dentist is qualified to discern whether a crown or filling is appropriate for any given tooth, but make no mistake: if you could freely choose between either treatment, then you would probably want a filling. That’s because a filling is quicker, less expensive, less invasive, and painless. If the dentist has to remove any enamel (i.e. outermost layer of a tooth) prior to filling in a cavity, it is typically very little.
A crown requires at least two office visits. During the first visit, the dentist will reshape the tooth by carefully removing decayed enamel and dentin (i.e. layer of tooth just beneath enamel). They then create an impression of the tooth, which is sent to a lab so a permanent crown can be created, and finish off by fitting the tooth with a temporary crown. The dentist replaces the temporary crown with the permanent one during the second visit. While the crown procedure is usually painless, many patients experience some discomfort following the procedure.
Note that some dentists are able to place permanent crowns during a single office visit. Thanks to Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) technology, it is possible to shorten the whole process to only a couple of hours.
It is also important to note that neither of these treatments are permanent. With proper care, a crown is likely to last between five and 15 years. Under the same circumstances, a filling may last anywhere from seven to 20 years. Either treatment’s lifespan depends on several factors, including the material used, its location in the mouth, and how well the patient attends to their oral hygiene.
Would you like to learn more about whether a crown or a filling is better for you? If you live in the greater Logan, UT area, then we welcome you to contact All About Teeth today to schedule a consultation. We’ll make sure you choose the best treatment for your unique dental health needs!
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