While eating or drinking something cold and experiencing a sudden sharp pain can often be a case of tooth decay and may need a simple filling. However, at other times, the pain may be more severe and may require a crown. Dental fillings and dental crowns are completely different treatments and serve different purposes.
If you are considering dental treatment in Gurgaon, it is good to understand what each of these options means. At DentaAesthetica, we can provide you with a complete dental consultation to check the extent of the damage caused to your tooth and suggest the required treatment.
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is a type of treatment to restore a tooth damaged by decay. In this procedure, the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and fills the empty space with a material. This also helps the tooth to function properly.
Composite fillings are used to restore a tooth and are preferred because of the ability of the material to match the colour of your natural tooth. The material used for the filling also depends on the size of the decayed area and the tooth.
A filling is often considered to be a good treatment option when the decayed area of the tooth is small, and the other part of the tooth remains healthy.
If your dentist discovers a small cavity during your dental check-up, a filling may be sufficient to prevent the decay from progressing further, thereby saving the natural tooth structure.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is used to restore and protect a damaged tooth. A dental crown is custom-made to cover the damaged or decayed part of the tooth to strengthen it. Dental crowns are sometimes made from gold, other metals, or porcelain.
Crowns can also be used to repair teeth that are broken or badly worn due to decay or large fillings. Crowns may also be used after a tooth has undergone a root canal to prevent the tooth from becoming infected and to restore the shape of the tooth.
Crowns can also be made from zirconia or other types of ceramics, which can be matched to the colour of the remaining teeth. This is more common and preferred in the U.S. Porcelain or ceramic crowns are more preferred in other countries because they don’t cause an allergic reaction in the patient, which can be found in other types of metals.
The cost of a dental crown is more than a dental filling, but a dental crown may be used to help a tooth that has lost a large portion of its structure and to help protect the remaining structure from further damage.
Neither treatment is inherently better. It depends on the condition of your tooth and the amount of healthy structure present.
Dental Crown vs Dental Filling Cost in Gurgaon
The cost of dental treatment in Gurgaon is clinic- and dentist-dependent and varies with the complexity of the case and material used. General estimates for dental treatment in Gurgaon are between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 15,000.
For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, a clinical evaluation is necessary. At times, a dental filling is a better treatment option. Other times, a dental crown is unnecessary. Cost should not always be the deciding factor.
How Does a Dentist Decide Between a Crown and a Filling?
Judging the extent of tooth damage based on appearance is not always accurate. What you see in the mirror may not always be the whole story. Your dentist will perform an examination and may take an X-ray to evaluate the extent of damage. Other factors such as your symptoms, bite, previous dental treatment and the remaining tooth structure will also be considered to finalize the diagnosis and treatment plan.
Persistent toothache, swelling, pain when biting or sensitivity which does not settle warrants a prompt visit to the dentist. These symptoms do not mean you necessarily need a crown but should not be left unattended.
Conclusion
When your tooth is damaged beyond a small cavity, a dental crown may be necessary to provide your tooth with strength and protection. While the presence of a dental cavity can be hard to determine, oral sensitivity can mean there is decay in your tooth. Cavities can be harder to detect when they are in the early stages; this is why it is recommended that you visit your dentist regularly. DentaAesthetica in Gurgaon can help you assess the condition of your teeth and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a dental crown better than a filling?
A crown is better than a filling for a larger area of damage. But, generally speaking, a filling is better than a crown for a small area of damage.
2. How long do dental fillings and crowns last?
The lifespan of a dental crown and filling depends on the material used. Crowns last 10-15 years or longer, and fillings last a few years.
3. Can a large cavity be treated with a filling?
A large cavity can be treated with a filling if the tooth has enough healthy structure to hold the filling in place. If the tooth structure is too weak to hold a filling in place, then the tooth may be better protected with a crown.
