One common question we get at Appolon Dental Care is whether a crown is better than a filling. These two dental treatments aim to repair the structure and strength of a tooth. You may have heard of some dentists using dental fillings and crowns interchangeably, but there are certain circumstances for when each should be used.
When Dental Crowns are the Best Option
Dental crowns are much different than dental fillings. For one, they cover the entire surface of your natural tooth. With that said, dental crowns are best used when a large portion of your tooth needs additional strength or structure. Dental crowns protect the tooth underneath and offer an enhanced tooth appearance and structure.
If you have worn down teeth or need significant cosmetic work, Dr. Appolon may recommend a dental crown. Dental crowns are also preferred to fillings when your tooth contains a large filling. This is because the dental crown will protect your tooth and provide more strength than the dental filling.
When a large portion of a natural tooth is gone from the tooth from a filling, the tooth lacks the strength and structure it needs to survive. Dental crowns solve this.
The other reason we may recommend a dental crown over a filling is if your tooth is significantly damaged, discolored, or misshaped. A dental crown can protect your tooth to prevent it from cracking or breaking further. This will prevent you from needing an extraction down the line.
When Dental Fillings are the Best Option
Dental crowns aren’t always better than a filling. For example, if you have a small cavity, it doesn’t make sense to fork over hundreds of dollars for a dental crown when you can just get a small filling instead. Your tooth’s structure is strong enough to withstand a few small fillings here and there. However, if a tooth becomes cracked, we may recommend a crown to prevent the crack from growing.
Fillings are best suited for small amounts of decay. Once you lose a certain amount of tooth structure though, a dental crown, inlay, or onlay becomes necessary to preserve your tooth.
Dr. Appolon will discuss the pros and cons of each procedure to help you decide which one is right for you. If the damage is minimal, she will likely recommend a dental filling, which also costs significantly less than dental crowns.
If you need a dental crown or dental filling in the Midtown Manhattan area, please contact Appolon Dental Group to schedule a virtual consultation today.
