If you have a cavity your doctor may recommend using a crown instead of a filling to restore and repair the tooth. There are many reasons she may recommend this course of treatment. Your tooth may be too damaged to receive a filling or the tooth is damaged and needs to be strengthened. Many times your tooth may be restored with a crown and saved instead of having to be extracted. Saving the tooth and strengthening it with a crown may be preferable to a temporary fix such as a filling.

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Unlike a filling which just fills in the tooth, a crown encases the tooth. The greatest benefit of a crown is the fact it will strengthen the tooth. If your tooth is badly damaged or decayed, but your doctor feels it should be saved, the placement of a crown is an easy and quick solution. Crowns are very natural looking and can be manufactured to match your natural tooth’s color and shape. The crown is cemented onto the tooth and provides a natural looking and feeling restoration. By saving the tooth and placing a crown your doctor can retain your natural bite and avoid costlier dental work in the future. Today’s crowns are attractive and extremely strong making them a good choice for front teeth and back teeth alike. When properly cared for a crown will last for several years.

Placement of a Dental Crown

Your doctor will take x-rays and examine your tooth and jaw. The tooth which is to receive the crown is shaped and then an impression is made. This impression is sent off to the lab so that your new crown may be fabricated. If the tooth is badly decayed or damaged, the doctor may perform a root canal to remove the infected or inflamed inner pulp. Once your new crown is ready you’ll return to the office to have it placed and cemented in. The doctor places the crown and adjusts it for fit and then cements in onto the tooth. Once it is cemented in it will look and feel just like your natural tooth. With proper brushing, flossing, and regular checkups your new crown may last up to 25 years.

If you have a cavity the doctor may choose to place a crown over the tooth to protect and strengthen it. This helps protect the tooth and avoid costly and extensive dental work in the future. If you are experiencing any discomfort, call or contact our office today and as about the benefits of crowns versus fillings. We look forward to hearing from you very soon!

advantages of choosing to treat tooth with crown instead of large filling. (Crowns give strenth, protect tooth from further breaking.  With filling, tooth may eventually break, losing important tooth structure that is needed  to support a crown; sometimes break is so severe that it is not restorable and tooth may require extraction.)