Dental Crowns vs. Fillings
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December 10, 2021Dr. Scott Ellard may recommend either dental crowns or fillings to restore teeth after injury or decay. Either way, it’s important that you call our office as soon as possible if you suspect there’s an issue with your oral health. That way, our dentist in Portage, Michigan, will be able to diagnose and treat the source of your dental pain as soon as possible.
Here are the main differences between dental crowns and fillings.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown restores a tooth with significant trauma or decay. It does this by covering the visible part of the tooth above the gumline, restoring the tooth’s natural strength and appearance. Our Portage dentist also uses dental crowns to cover dental implants, restore teeth after root canals, and anchor dental bridges.
The dental crown procedure takes two trips to our office. During your first appointment, Dr. Ellard will need to prepare the tooth to receive the crown.
First, Dr. Ellard will numb the tooth with a local anesthetic. Next, he’ll file down and shape the enamel so there’s enough space for the crown to sit over top. We’ll then take impressions of your teeth to send to the dental lab that will be making your crown. Dr. Ellard will use a shade guide to select the right color for your new crown. That way, your crown will blend in with the rest of your smile.
Your dental crown from the lab will be ready when you return for your second appointment with us. In the meantime, Dr. Ellard will place a temporary crown over your tooth. This will protect the tooth while you eat, talk, and otherwise go about your day.
When you return to our office, your permanent dental crown will be ready. Dr. Ellard will remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one. He’ll also ensure that the new crown is the right size, shape, and color to match the rest of your smile. Dr. Ellard will then bond the new dental crown to your tooth and check your bite.
Dental Fillings
Dr. Ellard may recommend a dental filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity. For the procedure, he’ll numb the tooth by injecting a local anesthetic into the gums. Once you’re numb and comfortable, Dr. Ellard will remove the decayed tooth structure and fill the hole with composite resin. We also offer gold, silver amalgam, and porcelain fillings.
A is less invasive than a crown. But Dr. Ellard may only use a filling if we catch tooth decay early. Once the cavity grows larger, there won’t be enough healthy tooth structure to support a filling. At that point, Dr. Ellard may recommend a crown to restore the tooth.
Unlike the , it only takes one appointment to get a filling.
Request an Appointment with Us
Dr. Scott Ellard is a . He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to welcome you to our practice. To request an appointment, please call Scott Ellard Dentistry at (269) 329-1880. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.