Dental treatments can get very confusing very fast, so it’s important to get educated on the basics of how your dentist may approach a cavity or other common dental issues. For cavities, fillings and crowns are the most common approaches to remedying the issue.
But, what exactly are fillings and crowns?
Crowns
Crowns are typically made from porcelain, metals, resins, and ceramics, and are used primarily for the following purposes.
- Strengthen a weak tooth
- Replace a missing tooth
- Cover an implant
- Cover an unattractive tooth for cosmetic purposes
Fillings
Dental fillings are utilized for filling cavities within your teeth. They are made from composite resins, dental amalgam, and gold fillings.
So, what’s the difference?
Fillings are used to fill a cavity, while crowns cover it completely. Crowns last longer than fillings, and are used for cavities when there is not enough of the tooth to hold a filling.
However, the bottom line is, prevention is key. Practicing good dental hygiene habits now will allow you to avoid either of these procedures in the future.
