Dental Crown vs. Filling: How Do You Know Which One You Need?

Quick Summary

Dental Filling and Dental Crown both repair a damaged or decayed tooth; however, these treatments are performed at highly dissimilar levels of damage to a tooth.

You take a bite out of an apple, feel something unusual, and now there you are looking at yourself in the mirror wondering if you need to have that particular tooth looked at. And then comes the question: do I need a regular filling or a dental crown? And this is one of the most frequently asked questions prior to visiting the dentist, but, trust me, it’s a legitimate one. Both procedures deal with repairing the teeth, can alleviate your pain, and both are commonly used in restorative dentistry. However, they differ in their characteristics and the choice of procedure without prior examination might only create more problems in future.

This guide will help you to be better prepared for the upcoming dental visit.

• The filling is employed when there are smaller or medium-sized cavities but still some tooth material left.
• The crown is applied when the tooth is too weak, fractured or worn out for the filling alone.
• The fillings procedure is faster, less destructive and done in one appointment.
• The crowns cover and preserve the whole tooth and usually take two appointments (or one, using same-day crown procedure).
• It all depends on the amount of the natural tooth left, the position of damage and the danger of fracture.
• It is only a dentist who can determine which of them should be applied after your examination and dental X-ray.

In case you have any problem with your teeth, whether it be sensitivity, pain, or a chip, the best way out is to schedule an examination rather than make assumptions. Delaying will only lead to the need for a crown.

Dental Filling vs. Dental Crown: Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Dental Filling	Dental Crown
Best for	Small to medium cavities, minor chips	Large cavities, cracked or fractured teeth, teeth after root canal
Amount of tooth structure needed	Most of the natural tooth is intact	Tooth is significantly weakened or broken down
Material options	Composite resin, amalgam, glass ionomer	Porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, gold, metal-porcelain blend
Number of visits	Usually one visit	One or two visits depending on the lab used
Coverage	Fills the cavity or damaged area only	Covers the entire visible portion of the tooth
Average lifespan	5 to 10 years	10 to 15 years or longer with good care
Cost	Generally lower cost	Generally higher cost
Procedure time	20 to 45 minutes	45 to 90 minutes per visit
Appearance	Matches tooth color (composite)	Matches tooth color and shape, very natural looking
Common triggers	Small cavity found during a cleaning	Cracked tooth, large decay, tooth after a root canal

This table is a general guide. Your dentist will confirm the right option after examining the tooth in person and reviewing your X-rays.

What Is a Dental Filling, and When Do You Need One?

The filling procedure becomes the first step taken once a dentist spots an early cavity or a small one where most of the tooth is still healthy. During your regular dental examination and cleaning, the dentist takes out the part of the tooth which is decayed and then fills the space with some filling material, such as a tooth colored composite.

The filling procedure is one of the most common procedures carried out in dentistry, and it is easy to see why. Not only does this procedure conserve your tooth, but it is a simple procedure too.

You likely need a filling if:

• Cavity detection through an oral check-up and cleaning
• Slight to moderate sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets in one particular tooth
• Decay present to some extent on the surface of the tooth
• Minor chipping or cracking of the tooth which is not very deep
• Old filling of the tooth that is worn out and needs to be replaced

The most significant benefit of a filling is its minimal invasiveness. However, one of its drawbacks is that it cannot withstand heavy pressure if the tooth is severely compromised. This is where a crown comes in.

What Is a Dental Crown, and When Do You Need One?

A dental crown is a specially made covering that fits over the entire exposed surface of your tooth to serve as an entirely new exterior layer. Crowns are prescribed in cases where the tooth has experienced substantial wear and cannot be supported by a filling or is in danger of fracturing under normal bite pressure.

The reason crowns form the basis of restorative dentistry is because crowns do more than just solve the problem at hand; they shield the entire tooth from future harm while also restoring its integrity and functionality.

If you require a crown, then:

• Over 50% of the structure of the tooth has been compromised by decay
• The tooth has a substantial crack that will not be filled properly
• You have just had a root canal procedure done due to brittle teeth
• There is a large failed filling or the tooth is deteriorating around a large filling
• You wish to protect your compromised tooth from further breakage
• Your tooth is involved in heavy chewing, such as molars

Crowns have a longer lifespan compared to fillings because crowns cover the whole tooth while fillings just fill the gap. Crowns are particularly important after a root canal procedure as the treated tooth loses its strength and requires the additional strength that the crown offers.

Signs You Might Need One (Or the Other)

However, sometimes the distinction between when a tooth requires a filling or crown is not always apparent simply by examining its feel. Below are some signs to look for before your dental visit:

• Biting down and experiencing sudden sharp pain is usually a sign of a break in the tooth structure, which would mean a crown rather than a filling.
• Slight sensitivity to cold foods that disappears quickly is more common in cases where a cavity needs to be filled, rather than crowned.
• A tooth that shows signs of a hole or black spots on its surface, with not much damage in terms of tooth structure, is likely to be in need of a filling.
• A tooth that appears “hollow” or has split into pieces requires a crown in order to strengthen it.
• A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy is bound to hurt at first, but will probably require a crown anyway regardless of whether there’s any pain or not.
• If an old filling keeps breaking, it could mean that the tooth has weakened too much for a filling to be sufficient.

None of these symptoms can be substituted for an official examination. Dentists utilize x-rays in order to spot decays and cracks, which cannot be seen by a naked eye. This explains why two teeth, which seem to be identical, require totally different procedures.

Can a Filling Turn Into a Crown Later?

Yes, and this occurs more frequently than people realize. A tooth that begins by requiring a minor filling can begin to have cavities form around the edges of this filling in time, or can have its tooth structure weakened by the filling itself. In cases like these, a dentist will advise getting a crown to ensure that there is enough protection left on the tooth to prevent it from fracturing.

This is precisely why dentists advise bi-annual check-ups. The earlier that cavities are caught, the more straightforward it is to simply fill them. If caught late enough, they could require crowns, while caught even later could mean a root canal or tooth extraction.

Cost Considerations

The choice between the two is frequently determined by the cost, and that is something worth noting beforehand. Fillings are less expensive because they require less work material and less time spent in the dentist’s chair. Crowns, on the other hand, are more expensive because they consist of a special restoration made in a laboratory and fitted with precision.

However, cost is not everything that should be taken into account when choosing one of the two treatments. The filling done on the tooth that really needs a crown is bound to fail eventually and require further treatment, which will bring more costs for you. Moreover, most dental insurance companies pay at least some part of the cost of either treatment.

How Your Dentist Decides Between a Filling and a Crown

Your dentist is not making an educated guess about which procedure to recommend for you. There are a number of clinical considerations taken into account by your dentist during your visit:

• The amount and extent of the decay or damage
• If there is a crack reaching the inside of the tooth
• The amount of healthy tooth structure that is left for the filling
• If the tooth has undergone root canal therapy
• The position of the tooth and the pressure that it has to withstand while chewing
• Your biting habit and whether you grind your teeth
• X-rays to show the extent of damage that cannot be seen on the surface

This is precisely why a diagnosis from home will rarely give you a full understanding. Two people with identical symptoms may leave the room with two completely different diagnoses simply because of how the problem manifested in their bodies.

Final Thought

The choice between the two treatments is determined by the amount of tooth remaining for dentistry. Fillings provide a conservative solution to small cavities while crowns provide full coverage of the tooth and restore it to its former state if there is enough natural tooth left. Neither method is better than the other since their effectiveness depends on different degrees of tooth damage.

In case you are experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, or have chipped a tooth and it does not go away, you should not postpone treatment. The dentists from Fine Smile Dental in Addison, Texas will be able to diagnose the problem and provide you with all the necessary information about possible treatment. We will offer a personalized plan of action rather than a standard solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a filling and a crown? 

There is only one way to determine which you need – through a check-up. Fillings are performed if there is sufficient natural material left, while crowns are required if the tooth is weak, fractured, or severely damaged.

2. Do all cracks in teeth require a crown? 

No, but sometimes. In case of a superficial fracture of the tooth, it is possible to use a filling or bonding procedure, while deep cracks often require a crown due to further tooth splitting.

3. Which procedure is more painful – a filling or a crown? 

Both procedures take place under local anesthesia, and thus, painless at the moment of their performance. However, slight sensitivity on the next few days is quite possible, but will disappear soon.

4. Can a filling become a crown? 

Yes. If the filling is large or old, and the surrounding tooth becomes weak enough, then your dentist can suggest you a crown replacement procedure.

5. For how many years can a dental crown function in comparison to a filling? 

On average, a good filling lasts 5 to 10 years, while a crown works for at least 10 to 15 years.

6. Is it necessary to have a crown after the procedure of root canal treatment? 

Yes, it is necessary. In most cases, teeth get weak after root canal treatment, and therefore, it is necessary to install a crown in order not to crack them.

7. Is it cheaper to have a filling instead of a crown? 

Yes, it is, but if your tooth requires a crown and you place a filling on it, chances are high that you will spend more money later.

8. Is it possible to fill a big cavity using a filling only? 

If there is not enough healthy tooth structure available to hold a filling, then getting a crown will be a better solution than a filling.

9. What materials are dental crowns composed of? 

A crown can be created from porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, gold, and even metals along with porcelain. Ceramic and porcelain crowns are widely used for restoring anterior teeth because they are almost like the natural teeth.

10. How long will it take to have a crown on my teeth? 

As a rule, there are two visits necessary for making a crown. During the first visit, a patient receives a temporary crown that will serve until a permanent one is made in a lab.