Dental restorations play a crucial role in protecting and repairing damaged teeth. While various options exist, two common choices are crowns and composite fillings. This guide will help you understand the differences and when each is typically recommended.
Crowns: A More Comprehensive Solution
Crowns are caps that fully cover a tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), crowns offer a durable solution for severely damaged teeth, extensive decay, or teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
The four-step placement process involves tooth preparation, taking impressions or scans, placing a temporary replacement and the final crown placement.
Composite Fillings: A Targeted Repair
Composite fillings are tooth-coloured materials used to fill cavities or repair minor damage. Made from resin, they bond directly to the tooth, making them ideal for small to moderate cavities or minor repairs.
The composite filling process includes cleaning out the decay, applying a bonding agent, and placing and shaping the composite material.
Choosing the Right Option – Examining The Key Differences
- Extent of Damage – crowns address more extensive damage, while composite fillings suit minor to moderate issues.
- Longevity – crowns typically last 10-15 years or more, whereas composite fillings may need replacement within 5-7 years.
- Aesthetics – both options can match tooth colour, but crowns often provide better long-term aesthetics for more extensive restorations.
- Procedure Time – most crowns can be made with chairside CAD-CAM technology and only need one appointment however some cases that need to be manufactured in the laboratory will need at least 2 sessions. Composite fillings are usually completed in one appointment.
Consider a crown for severely damaged teeth, large existing fillings, and post-root canal care. Opt for a composite filling for smaller cavities, minor chips or cracks.
Crowns generally come with a higher price tag due to materials, lab work, and procedural complexity. Insurance coverage may vary for each option, so it’s worth discussing with your provider.
The Final Choice is Yours
Schedule a consultation with Excellence in Dentistry today to discuss your dental restoration options and find the best solution for your smile. Our dentist can offer a personalised recommendation tailored to your oral health needs.
Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.