Crowns vs. Fillings: Comparing Dental Restorations
Dr. Danny O'Keefe has dedicated his life to helping patients in and around Jackson with their dental care needs. He offers advanced restorative dentistry treatments, including strong and natural-looking tooth-colored restorations.
Dental fillings and dental crowns are two common kinds of restorations we often use. Let's take a moment to see how they compare to one another right now.
About Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are traditional restorations that are able to rebuild tooth structure that has been damaged by decay or minor injury. Fillings come in both tooth-colored and metal forms. In recent years, dentists have come to favor the use of tooth-colored dental fillings since they offer excellent cosmetic results as well as strong restorative results.
Ideal Uses for Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are best used to treat minor instances of tooth decay and tooth damage. They are the first level of restoration that is used, and ideal for preventing minor decay from progressing to more serious levels.
About Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are more advanced forms of restorations. Crowns are used when a tooth is extremely compromised at a structural level. The crown will cap a tooth, protecting it from pain and discomfort while also restoring the ability to bite and chew normally.
Ideal Uses for Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are typically used as a last resort to save a tooth. The crown is the best option to prevent the need for extraction. Like fillings, dental crowns come in tooth-colored and metal forms. In general, the metal crowns are used to restore the molars just given the durability of the alloys used and the crushing and mashing function of the molars.
Are Fillings or Crowns More Superior?
No, neither is technically superior to the other per se. However, one may be better suited to a patient's need depending on the situation that needs to be addressed.
As noted above, fillings are more ideal for minor tooth decay and damage, while crowns are better suited to address more serious cases of decay and damage. When a person has more serious dental problems that need to be addressed, crowns are typically a better solution to consider. Comparatively minor issues are better addressed with fillings.
During a consultation, we can determine the best option for you.
A Word on Inlays and Onlays
In addition to fillings and crows, another restoration option to consider is the use of inlays and onlays. These types of restorations are able to address serious tooth damage that does not necessitate the need for a crown. Inlays and onlays are strong enough to replace the cusps (biting surfaces) of the teeth, and like the other restorations, they come in tooth-colored and metal forms.
Tailoring Restorative Care to Meet Your Needs
As you can see, there are many ways that a dentist can restore the healthy and beauty of your smile. We'd be more than happy to discuss all of these options in greater detail with you during the consultation process, offering advice on your various treatment options.
Contact Dr. Danny O'Keefe
To learn more about dental restorations and which ones may be best for you and your needs, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. Dr. Danny O'Keefe and his entire team will help you have the healthiest smile possible.
