If you’ve experienced some damage or decay to a tooth, it’s important to have it treated quickly, and two of the most common treatments we use are dental fillings and crowns. Both are important tools for restoring oral health, though they are beneficial in different circumstances. Understanding the differences can help you receive the best care.
What are fillings?
A dental filling is a treatment used to help a tooth that has been affected by minor decay. The decay is removed, and then filling material is placed into the gap to complete the tooth and restore its function. Fillings can also be used to treat minor fractures in the tooth, preventing them from worsening over time.
Fillings can be made from a variety of materials, though most modern fillings are made from composite resin or porcelain. These materials closely match the colour of natural teeth, helping to provide a natural-looking restoration. Check out our detailed filling explainer for more information on the treatment process and aftercare.
Benefits
One of the greatest advantages of fillings is that they can be applied really quickly. The dental filling procedure often only takes a single appointment, completed painlessly under local anaesthetic. As mentioned, the materials used help to mimic natural tooth colour, and fillings are one of the most affordable options available to support a tooth after minor decay or damage.
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, dental fillings are only designed to treat minor issues, so they only repair the affected portion of a tooth, rather than strengthening the whole tooth. As a result, they tend not to be as durable as other tooth restorations, including crowns.
What are crowns?
A dental crown is a type of covering used to restore and protect heavily damaged teeth. Where fillings are used to restore damaged or decayed pieces in a natural tooth, a crown effectively replaces the visible portion of the tooth with a prosthetic ‘cap’. Similar to fillings, they can also be made from a variety of materials, though we typically fabricate them using porcelain or other ceramics for a natural look. Our dental crown explainer provides more details about the procedure and signs you need one.
Benefits
Crowns are a more comprehensive solution than dental fillings, designed to cover an entire tooth to provide maximum strength. Because of this, they are a much more durable restoration, ideal for severe damage or discolouration. By providing more overall protection, crowns also help to prevent further damage to your tooth, helping you to avoid more expensive or significant treatments like extractions.
Disadvantages
Given that crowns are a more significant treatment than fillings, they also take more time to be finalised, requiring at least two appointments to allow for a tooth impression to be taken and the final crown to be created and cemented in place. Getting a crown is also more expensive than getting a filling, though the investment is often offset by its greater durability.
Choosing the correct option
When it comes to filling vs crown, what you need will largely be determined by the severity of your tooth’s decay or damage. Fillings are ideal for small cavities and early-stage tooth decay, when the majority of the tooth’s structure is still intact and the filling does not have to provide as much protection and stability. It is a quick and affordable repair option, but only for minor issues.
If your decay or damage is more significant, a filling will not provide adequate restoration or help to prevent the issue from getting worse. In these cases, it’s necessary to get a dental crown instead, which is designed to provide more support to severely damaged or weakened teeth.
Even if you have previously had a filling placed, it can be beneficial to replace it with a crown, depending on its size. If the filling takes up more than half of the tooth’s structure, we recommend having a crown placed instead, which will ensure that the tooth is adequately protected. Crowns are also a common solution after other types of dental treatments, including root canals and implants, helping to finish the treatment and create a replacement tooth that will last.
Restoring teeth in Oakleigh
Both fillings and crowns play an important role in maintaining oral health, though they are used for different issues. Whether you need a simple filling or a more comprehensive crown restoration, our team is here to help you keep your smile strong, ensuring you know the best options for long-term health.
Get in touch to book an appointment or discuss how we can help you preserve your teeth. We’re always happy to help you smile.
