Just like not every home improvement problem can be solved with a hammer, not every damaged tooth needs the same fix. Sometimes a simple filling does the job, and other times a dental crown is the only way to preserve the tooth. So, how do you know which one you need? Keep reading to learn how your specialist for dental crowns makes the decision about how to save your smile.
When a Filling Is Enough
Fillings are the go-to treatment for small to moderate cavities. If decay is limited and there’s still plenty of healthy tooth structure left to work with, your dentist can just remove the decayed spots. After that, they’ll fill the space with a tooth-colored composite material to complete the restoration.
Fillings are quicker, less invasive, and more conservative than crowns in general. So, they’re fantastic when the goal is to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible.
When a Crown Becomes Necessary
Dental crowns come into play when the damage is too extensive for a filling to handle. This includes situations like:
- Large cavities have destroyed a large portion of the tooth, leaving too little structure for a filling to support.
- Your tooth has cracked or fractured, so a crown is needed to hold the tooth together and prevent the crack from worsening.
- You recently had a root canal and need extra protection for the now-dead tooth structure.
- You have severe wear from grinding your teeth over the course of many years, reducing your tooth’s size and strength.
In these cases, a filling wouldn’t have enough tooth structure to bond to or wouldn’t provide the strength needed to prevent further damage.
Why It’s Important to Get It Right
Choosing the right restoration isn’t just about immediate repair—it’s about long-term durability. A filling placed in a tooth that really needed a crown may fail quickly, leading to further issues. These could range from new decay to cracks, root canal reinfection, or even the need for extraction. On the other hand, placing a crown when a filling would have sufficed is more invasive than necessary and could affect future treatment options.
When to See a Specialist
For complex cases, like significant structural damage or a smile that needs a comprehensive restoration plan, a prosthodontist is your best bet. These specialists focus specifically on restoring and rebuilding teeth, offering a trained eye and more relevant expertise to your treatment.
The best way to know which option is right for your tooth is a thorough evaluation. Your prosthodontist will be able to assess the extent of the damage and recommend the treatment that offers the best long-term outcome. Once your smile is restored, you can have peace of mind that it was done right.
About the Practice
At EMA Dental, our expert dental team includes a highly trained prosthodontist, Dr. Mariano, who specializes in rebuilding strong, attractive smiles. Whether you need a simple filling or a more complex crown, our team uses the latest technology to create 100% custom restorations you’ll love. Call (413) 731-8800 to schedule your consultation at our East Longmeadow office.