A dental filling can be used to fill in holes inside your teeth created by bacterial infections called “cavities”. Today’s Long Island fillings use a composite material that matches the color of your natural tooth. However, more complex cases of decay may call for a crown.
Why a Dental Filling?
An active cavity is one that has ruptured through the outer layer of your tooth enamel. This lesion will require a filling to repair it. You may not need to treat any areas that are mildly affected by demineralization. However, decay can quickly spread to the next layer of tooth structure. Regular dental examinations and intermittent X-rays are important for early detection.
Most dental fillings will last about 10 years or more depending on how the patient and their oral hygiene habits. As new products become available, fillings are more durable than ever. Your home care routine and diet will play an important role, and your fillings may need to be replaced if you don’t floss every day or eat a lot of sugary and processed carbs.
At Sachem Dental Group, we prefer to use white, composite dental fillings. These restorations are minimally invasive to your teeth and blend in with the natural color. They also allow us to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Why Dental Crowns?
Crowns are protective covers that protect damaged teeth, and they protect entire teeth from biting pressure that could cause them to crack during daily use. A crown provides more reinforcement than large fillings.
A dental crown might be recommended if a tooth cannot withstand daily chewing or biting pressure. If you meet one of these criteria, our Suffolk County dentists may recommend a crown:
- Older, large silver fillings
- Recent root canal treatment
- Extensive areas of decay
- Aggressive enamel wear
- Broken or chipped enamel
We will also need to place a crown over the “artificial root” if you are having a single tooth replaced with dental implants.
Crowns provide more reinforcement than dental fillings, which only cover the damaged part of a tooth. Crowns protect the tops and sides of the teeth, while fillings only cover the affected area. Dental crowns serve more of an aesthetic purpose, they’re also functional and last longer than fillings. Modern dental crown materials are so high-quality that they can enhance the appearance of the tooth while also restoring its function.
Which One is Right for Me (Filling vs. Crown)?
Sachem Dental Group is committed to providing personalized, individual care to each client. We will examine your bite to determine if fillings or crowns would be a good fit for you. We’ll create a custom treatment plan that will detail the costs and procedures involved.
Our Long Island dentists can help you find additional services like whitening, bonding, and recontouring. Your care plan will be tailored to your specific needs, budget, timeframe, and goals. Every person has a different vision and dental needs, and we’ll help your reach them.
Contact us today to reserve a no-obligation dental exam.
