Crown vs. Filling: What’s the Best Way To Restore Your Tooth? [Video Q&A]

Do you have a cracked tooth, a cavity, or a lost filling? You might need either a filling or a crown. But what’s the difference between a crown vs. filling, and why might your tooth need one over the other? Both treatments restore damaged teeth, but they serve different purposes. A filling replaces a smaller area of damaged tooth structure, while a crown covers the tooth for more extensive protection. The right choice depends on how much healthy tooth remains and how much bite force the tooth must withstand.

Before Dr. Ellis became a dentist, he worked in construction and even built the office where he practices. He brings that built-to-last philosophy to restorative care. When he repairs your tooth with a crown or filling, he wants those results to last. That commitment to long-lasting results guides his treatment recommendations.

Crown vs. Filling: What’s the Difference?

Both a dental crown and a dental filling restore damaged teeth, but they differ in how much coverage and support they provide. A dental filling repairs small areas of damage but relies on the remaining tooth for support. On the other hand, a dental crown strengthens a tooth when there isn’t enough healthy tooth remaining to hold a filling.

What Is a Dental Filling?

A dental filling repairs a cavity or a small area of tooth damage. While older fillings were often shiny silver, today’s fillings often come in tooth-colored composite resin that blends seamlessly with natural enamel. Dental fillings generally make sense when plenty of healthy tooth structure remains.

To restore a tooth with a dental filling, Dr. Ellis removes any decay. Then, he fills the empty space with restorative material. This quick process can be completed in a single visit.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire tooth. When little healthy tooth remains after the decay is removed, crowns restore the tooth’s shape while adding durability and the ability to withstand normal chewing forces. Dr. Ellis may place a dental crown after root canal therapy. Dental crowns can also be used in conjunction with dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Dental crowns can be made from materials such as metal, porcelain, porcelain that is fused to metal, or zirconia. Our practice partners with a local dental lab that customizes the crown’s design to match your restorative needs and cosmetic preferences.

To place a crown, Dr. Ellis shaves off a few millimeters of tooth all around, then secures a temporary crown while you wait for the lab to make your final restoration. In a few days, you’ll return so Dr. Ellis can cement the final restoration. The process typically takes two short visits instead of one.

How Does Dr. Ellis Decide Between a Crown and a Filling?

How do you know whether you’ll need a crown vs. a filling? Visit West Wind Dental to find out!

When he sees you at his practice, Dr. Ellis will take a look at the damaged tooth and use dental X-rays to take a peek under the hood and see how deep that damage goes.

Dr. Ellis evaluates how much healthy tooth remains and where cracks or decay are inside the tooth. Based on the extent of the damage, he will determine whether the tooth is stable enough to hold a filling or whether it needs the added wrap-around support of a crown.

Ultimately, he chooses what will best keep your tooth as healthy as possible in the long run. He won’t over-treat a tooth by placing a crown when a filling would suffice, and he won’t place a filling when the tooth lacks structural integrity.

Crown vs. Filling: Learn What’s Right for You

When considering a crown vs. filling, ultimately, the best choice for your smile depends on the state of your teeth. At West Wind Dental, Dr. Ellis wants you to understand your options for repairing damaged teeth and why he recommends one over the other. Regardless of whether you need a crown vs. a filling, you can count on Dr. Ellis to restore your smile with the goal of extending the lifespan of your tooth!

Dr. Ellis has served patients in Rigby and the surrounding Eastern Idaho community since 2001. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted local dentist.