Did you know that an estimated 27% of American adults between 20 and 64 years old have untreated tooth decay? Unfortunately, dental problems don’t typically resolve themselves and tend to only worsen over time. Not only that, but cavities are contagious. If they are allowed to progress, they can spread to your jawbone or contribute to gum disease, which can enter your bloodstream and affect other parts of your body.
Thankfully, your dentist can repair injured teeth with tooth-colored fillings or dental crowns, but how do you know which procedure is right for you? Continue reading to learn more about both options to make an informed decision to improve your dental health!
What Are Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Historically, restorations like fillings and crowns were made from amalgam metal mixtures that could damage your enamel or leave it looking dark and dingy. Thanks to recent advancements in dental technology and materials, your provider uses tooth-colored materials today for a more natural-looking repair.
For this procedure, they place color-matched composite resin directly on your enamel to rebuild the decayed areas to keep bacteria out and allow you to continue using your tooth normally. These fillings typically last 5 to 15 or more years, depending on how well you care for your teeth.
What Are Dental Crowns?
These restorations are tooth-shaped caps designed to be cemented over a damaged or decayed pearly white. They can also anchor a dental bridge, cover a dental implant, or protect a tooth that recently underwent a root canal.
They’re usually made from resilient porcelain that can be customized to match the shade, shape, and size of your natural teeth for seamless results. These covers aren’t intended to be removed once they’re bonded in place, and can also last 5 to 15 or more years if they’re well maintained.
Which Treatment is Best for Me?
Both options are used to treat injured or broken teeth, so how do you know which is ideal for your circumstances? Tooth-colored fillings are the standard treatment for tooth decay, but if your pearly white is too injured for this fix to be effective, a dental crown can be used to restore its appearance and functionality so you can continue to use it normally.
If you’re still unsure which path to take, the best way to proceed is to visit your dentist. They’ll examine your mouth and make a professional recommendation based on their findings to safeguard your smile!
Meet the Author
Dr. Deval Parmar has over 13 years of experience helping families near McKinney build and maintain beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. She began her education in India, where she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from MP Dental College. Then, she moved to the U.S. and achieved a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Today, she offers a wide variety of services to meet all your needs at one convenient location, including restorative treatments like fillings and dental crowns. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (972) 972-4646.