One of the best things about modern dentistry is that for just about any issue you could have with your smile, there’s likely a treatment that could help you. An experienced dentist has a wide range of tools at their disposal, and there’s likely going be at least one that can address your problem.
In some cases, there’s even some overlap in what dental treatments can do. Dental crowns and fillings are a good example—both of these treatments repair holes in your smile, but their exact use differs slightly. If you want to know more, here’s a brief guide on distinguishing these two restorations.
What Are Fillings?
Have you ever tried using spackle to repair a hole in a wall? This chalky, malleable substance can fill all kinds of holes, making the wall look good as new. Fillings are similar. Your dentist can use a malleable substance, usually a tooth-colored composite resin, to fill in cracks and cavities. This protects the interior of the tooth and prevents decay from spreading.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are small tooth-shaped “caps” that are used to cover up decayed or damaged teeth. First, the problem tooth will have a small amount of its enamel removed. Then, the dentist will then design your dental crown, most of which are made with either metal or a specialized ceramic. These designs will be sent to a lab to be milled, and in a few weeks, you’ll come back to have your dental crown adhered in place with a permanent dental cement.
Should I Get Dental Crowns or Fillings?
Ultimately, you would need to have a conversation with your dentist to determine for sure which style of restoration is best for you. That said, fillings tend to be used for quick and easy problems. They have the benefit of being done in a single appointment, making them the more convenient option.
Dental crowns are used most often in situations where the damage is too severe for a filling, such as in the case of cracked, fractured, or recently root-canaled teeth.
No matter which one you get, there’s one thing that you can be certain about: with the help of a good dentist, you can have a healthy smile again in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Shauna Soltani’s favorite part of her job is being able to transform people’s smiles for the better. She takes enormous pride in her skills as a dentist, particularly in her ability to provide excellent patient care to everyone she sees. Dr. Soltani received her degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and diligently continues her education to this day.
If you have any questions about restorative care, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (720) 608-7770.
