The sooner you see one of our dentists, the more likely we’ll be able to repair your tooth with a simple filling. The alternative is waiting and needing a crown, root canal, or tooth extraction. Here are the major differences between fillings vs. crowns.
Fillings vs. Crowns
Our dentists use both dental fillings and crowns to restore teeth. But what procedure you need will depend on the extent of damage to the tooth.
| Fillings | Crowns |
| Treats minor tooth injury or decay | Treats major tooth injury or decay |
| Fills in decayed teeth | Covers teeth |
| Completed in 1 dental visit | Completed in 2 dental visits |
| No impressions | Requires impressions |
| More affordable | More expensive |
Direct vs. Indirect Restorations
It takes one appointment to get a filling but two for a dental crown. That’s because a dental crown is what we call an “indirect” restoration.
Labs use impressions of your teeth and gums to create dental crowns. This is an indirect process because they make your crown before it’s ever held up to your mouth. Once your crown is ready, you’ll need to return to our office so one of our dentists can bond it to your tooth.
For fillings, our dentists mold and shape composite resin right onto teeth. This is why fillings are “direct” restorations.
How Do You Know When a Tooth Needs a Crown?
Our dentists may recommend a dental crown if a filling isn’t enough to restore your tooth. For example, you may need a dental crown to restore a tooth with a deep crack or cavity.
A dental crown covers your entire tooth, from the chewing surface to the edge of your gums. This restores both the strength and appearance of your tooth. A crown also protects your tooth from further damage.
Crowns are much more durable than fillings. But we also have to remove more tooth structure to place them. Of course, this may not be as much of an issue if most of your tooth structure isn’t salvageable.
When Should I Get a Filling?
We may recommend a filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity. Once we remove the decayed tooth structure, we would then fill in the hole with composite resin. This filling restores your tooth and prevents further decay.
We do everything in our power to detect cavities early. That way, we can restore your tooth with a small filling. A filling lets you keep more of your natural tooth structure than a crown.
Conclusion
Dental fillings are less invasive. But this doesn’t mean they’re always the right choice. For example, you may need a crown if your tooth is weak from a large filling. Likewise, a filling helps you save as much tooth structure as possible.
Consult with one of our dentists to determine which treatment is right for you. They would be more than happy to help you explore the pros and cons of each option. We’ll give you all the information you need to choose between dental fillings vs. crowns.
Learn More About Fillings vs. Crowns!
Our priority has always been helping our patients. When you come in for your appointment, our sole focus will be on helping you restore your oral health. As a family dental practice, we’re rewarded by the smiles on our patients’ faces.
Don’t ignore a painful tooth! Our dentists offer both dental crowns and fillings to restore your smile. But first, you’ll need to call Gasior Family Dental. To request an appointment with one of our dentists in Northville, MI, call (248) 348-7997.
