What is the difference between dental crowns and dental fillings?
Created on February 14, 2022
Restoring the teeth to create a beautiful smile is one of the best parts of a cosmetic dentist’s jobs. Our team at Taylor Street Dental in Springfield, MA is pleased to provide a wide range of solutions for patients who need to address imperfections in the smile and seek improved self-confidence. Drs. Peck, Velastegui, and Homsi of Taylor Street Dental offer a myriad of treatments for patients, and learning about the differences of each is just one of the steps in choosing the most appropriate solution for a patient’s smile. Two popular restorations used at our practice are dental crowns and dental fillings. But what is the difference between the two?
Severe tooth decay
Patients with significant tooth decay may assume that a dental filling is the best choice for them. While dental fillings are often used in restoring parts of a smile impacted by decay, there are times when a filling is not enough. Dental fillings are composite resin materials that are applied inside of a tooth after an area of decay has been removed and disinfected. The filling seals off the area to avoid infection and can help stop decay in its tracks. However, there are times when a filling is not enough. Larger fillings leave the natural tooth structure susceptible to breakage. In situations such as this, the dentist may place a dental crown over the top of the filled tooth. The crown is a porcelain restoration that is fabricated custom for a patient and bonded over the tooth with the filling. It functions as an extra layer of protection and offers the strength patients need to chew and bite efficiently. Because dental crowns are made with strong and durable materials such as porcelain, they are not only beautiful but long-lasting.
Call Taylor Street Dental today
Springfield, MA area patients are encouraged to speak to Drs. Peck, Velastegui, and Homsi about restorations such as fillings and crowns to fully understand which one they need for smile repair. Call Taylor Street Dental’s friendly front office team to book an appointment at (413) 781-7645 and visit the office at 41 Taylor Street.
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