Fillings or Crowns: Which Is The Best Option For You?

Have a tooth that’s damaged or suffering from decay? You might be wondering which treatment will give the best results- a simple filling or a more comprehensive dental crown. At Purity Dental we offer both, and a range of other restorative treatments. What our expert dentist will recommend for you will depend on a few factors including:

Severity of the damage

One of the biggest factors considered when deciding between a crown or filling is the extent of the structural damage. Crowns are designed to cover and protect your entire tooth whereas a filling is used to patch smaller areas of decay. So, if you have a large cavity, crack or severely worn down tooth, a crown might be the best option for you.

Amount of healthy enamel left

When placing a filling in a tooth with a little amount of healthy enamel left, the chances of it breaking apart when chewing or eating your food is quite high. In this instance, a crown has a better likelihood of withstanding everyday use.

After a root canal

After root canal treatment, the tooth is quite brittle. This makes it more prone to breakage and chipping compared to your other teeth with living nerves. The standard practice after a root canal is to place a temporary filling until you can come back to get a crown fitted over the tooth.

Replacing an old filling

When an old filling is taken out, the tooth around it has to be prepped once more for a new filling. Replacing older silver fillings usually involve a significant amount of structural loss, making it an unstable environment for a new filling. Placing a new filling will result in breakage once pressure is applied.

Have a damaged tooth that’s causing you pain or discomfort? Reach Purity Dental today at (03) 9540 8900 to schedule your consultation and we’ll help determine which treatment best suits your needs!