The sooner you see our dentist in Shelby Township, MI, 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 dentist uses both dental fillings and crowns to restore teeth. 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 fabricate 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 our dentist can bond it to your tooth.
For fillings, our dentist molds and shapes composite resin right onto your tooth. This is why fillings are “direct” restorations.
When Should I Get a Dental Crown?
Our dentist may recommend the dental crown procedure 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 porcelain 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 composite filling lets you keep more of your natural tooth structure than a crown.
Do Crowns Last Longer Than Fillings?
The average is between 10 and 15 years. However, this is dependent on you taking good care of your smile by brushing, flossing, and seeing Dr. Nazarian for preventive dental care. Likewise, composite fillings can last between 5 and 15 years with proper care.
As long as you practice good oral hygiene, crowns and fillings have similar life expectancies.
Conclusion
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.
Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Shelby Township, MI, to determine which treatment is right for you. Dr. Narzarian 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.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Nazarian
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! Dr. Ara Nazarian offers both dental crowns and fillings to restore your smile. But first, you’ll need to call the Premier Dental Center. To request an appointment with our dentist in Shelby Township, MI, call (248) 457-0500.
This blog post has been updated.