Rest assured, you can always trust restorative dentistry to repair your damaged smile. This field has all sorts of ways to make worn-down teeth as good as new! Having said so, you may struggle to know whether your tooth needs a dental crown or a filling. Both procedures restore teeth, so choosing between them can seem pretty hard at first. Let your Manchester dentist help you choose in this primer on how dental crowns and fillings differ.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
A dental crown suits a tooth with damaged outer areas. When your mouth has that issue, treatment will quickly make repairs.
Note that dental crowns are small, tooth-shaped caps that blend with your grin. Their role is to cover the tops of decayed or damaged teeth to restore your smile’s structure and looks. In other words, each one protects its tooth from harm and hides certain dental flaws.
The traits above make dental crowns effective at fixing exterior damage. Since they cover chipped, cracked, or fractured areas, they keep bacteria away from your smile’s weak spots. The caps also hide such spots with lifelike ceramic or porcelain.
What About Dental Fillings?
You may need a dental filling if your tooth’s damage reaches the pulp layer. After all, the best thing to do for a cavity is to have it filled.
Remember, dental fillings are “mixes” of materials that repair teeth. Their design ensures they can “fill” the empty space in a tooth and strengthen its interior. The materials can also repair cracks, chips, and areas worn by misuse.
Given such features, a filling is ideal for treating a tooth’s innards. It’ll “fill in” your cavities and root canals to preserve tooth structure, keeping bacteria out and preventing further harm.
Remember to Consult a Dentist
You should consult your dentist about treatment even when you grasp dental crowns and fillings. Their skill and experience will ensure you get the right procedure.
While you may be attentive to your oral health, your dentist will know it better. They’ve seen your smile firsthand and have access to your long-term dental records. To that extent, they’re well-prepared and equipped to make an informed suggestion on your care.
If you need a dental crown or a filling, please consult a dental provider for advice. They’ll make sure you get the best results possible for your smile!
About the Practice
Goodman Dental Care is based in Annapolis, MD. Led by Drs. Gary and Jeremy Goodman, our practice aims to give patients one-on-one attention for their care. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to your smile and its unique oral needs! Whether you see us for dental checkups, crowns, or fillings, our team is here for you. For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (410)-263-1919.