Dental Fillings vs. Dental Crowns
At Dental Associates of New England, we are renowned for creating stunning smiles through our comprehensive range of transformative cosmetic dentistry procedures. However, every beautiful smile must be built upon a foundation of excellent oral health and optimal dental function. If the teeth are not structurally sound, then even the most aesthetically appealing smiles are mere facades that will not last long.
For this reason, Dr. John D. Meola and his experienced team of dental professionals also offer a full suite of treatments designed to restore strength and integrity to structurally damaged teeth, including both dental fillings and dental crowns. Both fillings and crowns are among the most time-tested and highly effective treatments in all of dentistry, and they continue to provide outstanding value to patients who require restoration of teeth that have been cracked, chipped, weakened by decay, or otherwise damaged. Equally importantly, unlike the fillings and crowns of the past, modern fillings and crowns are practically indistinguishable from natural tooth structure, making them as vital to many smile makeovers as such cosmetic dentistry treatments as porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.
It is important to note, however, that while dental fillings and dental crowns perform similar functions, they are not interchangeable. We invite you to read the following blog post about dental fillings vs. crowns, and then contact our Boston, MA dental practice to schedule your initial consultation with one of our esteemed dentists.
What Is a Dental Filling?
Dental fillings are used to replace the missing portion of a tooth when damage to a tooth is relatively minor and the missing portion is relatively small. A dental filling may be used to replace the missing structure of a tooth that has been chipped or after a small amount of decayed material has been removed. At Dental Associates of New England, we use composite resin dental fillings, which closely match the color of the teeth and are metal free, yet are as strong and durable as their silver amalgam counterparts.
What Is a Dental Crown?
Unlike a dental filling, a dental crown is used to cover the entire visible surface area of a tooth, from the gum line upward. Crowns are reserved for cases in which the damage to a tooth is too extensive to support a dental filling or another type of restoration on its own, such as a ceramic inlay or onlay. Our dentists custom-craft dental crowns to complement surrounding natural teeth in terms of size, shape, color, and even texture. As a result, patients emerge from treatment with smiles that are not only stronger and more functional, but also whole and attractive once again.
Dental crowns can be used to hold fillings in place, as well as to protect the tooth from further damage, while restoring strength to the tooth itself and the overall bite.
Learn More about Dental Fillings vs. Dental Crowns
If you would like to learn more about the issue of dental fillings vs. dental crowns, please contact Dental Associates of New England today.