Restoring Your Smile With Crowns & Fillings
A tooth with decay or other damage requires repair, or the damage will spread, eventually compromising the tooth irreparably. Thankfully, we have fillings and crowns to get the job done. A filling or a crown not only saves a tooth but also restores its strength, structure, and appearance. But when does a tooth need a filling, and when does it need a crown? To answer that question, it’s important to understand what each treatment does.
Fillings
A filling is the most common restorative treatment in the world. Nearly every single person on the planet experiences tooth decay at least once in their life, and most of the time, the best treatment is a filling. Modern fillings are tooth colored, made of a composite resin that molds to the contours of the tooth. Once in place and polished, the filling is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the tooth. Composite fillings are excellent for patients with aging metal fillings that need replacing. The composite is less sensitive to temperature changes and so will not shrink or expand with cold and heat, making it easier on the patient’s teeth in the long term.
When Do You Need a Filling?
If a tooth has a cavity, and there’s sufficient healthy tooth enamel to support a filling, that is normally the best option. We can place a filling in a single appointment, and the patient will be able to resume normal activities afterward.
Crowns
Bridging the areas of restorative and cosmetic dentistry, crowns perform multiple functions. We might place a crown to reinforce a tooth that’s too weak or damaged to support a filling. This happens when decay is left too long untreated and spreads, or a tooth becomes worn from persistent grinding and clenching, for example. A crown will cover the tooth to restore structure, strength, and appearance. For cosmetic purposes, we use crowns in conjunction with other treatments, like veneers and implants, to complete a smile makeover. Porcelain crowns contain no metal and look perfectly natural.
When Do You Need a Crown?
A crown is best for severely damaged or weakened teeth. The entire process for placing a crown may take two or more appointments because each crown has to be custom created in a dental lab. While the patient waits for their crown to arrive, we place a temporary crown to protect the damaged tooth.
Fillings and crowns are both excellent for restoring damaged teeth. At Parker & Pennington Dentistry in Jacksonville Beach, FL, we proudly place high-quality restorations to ensure our patients can smile with confidence for years and years.
If you’re due for a dental checkup or have a concern you’d like addressed, call our office located in Jacksonville Beach, FL today to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help!
