Fillings vs. crowns — that is the question. These dental tools can repair teeth damage, so which one is the best solution for you? There are many factors to consider in choosing an option, from costs to procedure length to durability. 

No matter what your dental concern is, there is an ideal option for it. This article will discuss the core differences between fillings and crowns to guide you in your decision. 

Definitions: Fillings and Crowns

For fractured teeth or cavities, our dentists often recommend fillings or crowns. Sometimes, we can use these treatments interchangeably and offer both as alternative options. However, we usually recommend one over the other to address specific needs. 

In most cases, our standard solution for decay or cavities is dental fillings — either porcelain, silver amalgam, or gold. If we find the damage during the early stages, dental fillings are an effective alternative. 

On the other hand, dental crowns function like tooth caps for severely damaged teeth with structural impairments. Crowns use the same materials as fillings, and specialists design the former to look and feel like natural teeth. 

Core Differences

While fillings and crowns aim to repair damaged teeth, they have core differences. Below are some of the factors that set them apart from each other:

• Fillings are ideal for minor tooth decay, but we use crowns for more severe damage. 
• While fillings last for about seven years, crowns last up to fifteen years. 
• For discolored or misshapen teeth, we recommend using crowns to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. Fillings don’t offer this feature. 
• While fillings fill damaged teeth, crowns completely cover them. 
• We can complete fillings in one dental visit without the need for impressions. On the other hand, crowns usually take two dental visits and require them. 
• Dental fillings cost anywhere between $200 – $600 per tooth, while crowns can go from $500 – $3,000. 
• We don’t recommend using fillings for conditions that require crowns. While crowns cost more, a compromised tooth will end up costing more in the long run. 

Factors to Consider

At Austin Dental Specialty Group, we consider the following factors to answer the usual fillings vs. crowns questions we get:

• Cavity size: If we catch decays on time, fillings are good enough. However, we recommend crowns for deeper cavities. 
• Tooth condition: The more fillings a tooth undergoes, the weaker it becomes. For this reason, we use crowns on teeth that have gone through several fillings. 
• Broken teeth: We customize crowns to look like natural teeth, making them ideal for broken, cracked, or chipped teeth. They will prevent further damage and possible infection. Dental fillings are not a viable solution for such conditions. 
• Root canal: For severely infected teeth, the only option is to do a root canal and place a crown over the damaged tooth. If we can’t perform this procedure immediately, we typically have to do an extraction.

Get Your Damaged Teeth Fixed

When dealing with tooth damage, early detection is essential in preserving teeth. Apart from bi-annual visits, we recommend seeing a trusted Austin dentist when you experience spontaneous toothaches, tooth sensitivity, and pain when eating or drinking anything hot or cold. We can usually save teeth with fillings if we detect decay early on. However, severe damage requires crowns. Request an appointment now to get your teeth fixed and get your confident smile back.