It’s completely normal to be confused about the various dental treatment options available but at Docklands Dental the patient is the primary concern so we focus on what’s important to you as individuals. If there’s a problem with your teeth, we may suggest a crown, filling, or implant depending on which one works best.
If you are happy, then a treatment plan is designed around your needs, concerns and budgets. In this blog post we compare crowns, implants and fillings to help give you a more informed choice of the ideal dental treatment for you.
Fillings
If a tooth is damaged due to decay, trauma or has a genetic defect, then this may be repaired using a filling. Dental fillings will restore teeth with smaller amounts of damage. With a filling, the decayed tooth material is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and finally, it is filled. The filling can be made of composite resin that looks like natural teeth, amalgam, porcelain, or gold. While fillings are most commonly used to treat cavities, more serious cavities may require crowns alone or in combination with a filling.
You may be unaware if you need a filling unless something has happened and you can detect a change in the shape of the tooth. Dental decay, in many cases, is painless until it reaches the nerve of the tooth or allows stimuli to reach the nerve. At this stage the filling will be close to the nerve and may result in the nerve dying off due to bacterial infiltration and infection after the filling.
It is essential, that if you need a filling, it is done early to prevent further damage or weakening to the tooth.
Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover that fits directly over and restores a very damaged or discoloured tooth. It completely encloses the tooth, strengthens the remaining tooth structure and restores and improves its appearance and function. A crown will be used if your tooth is badly decayed so as to protect it from further damage and keep your entire bite functional. Crowns can protect weak teeth, restore broken teeth, or even support large fillings.
Compared to dental implants, combining crowns with bridges often gives you more stability when speaking or chewing, and they look like real teeth. Crowns are generally among the longest lasting restorations and if looked after properly, with regular visits, will provide many years of excellent service.
Implants
Dental implants are the ideal choice when replacing a missing tooth. It is the closest thing to the original tooth in sensation and function. This procedure involves placing an artificial root (using a metal, such as titanium, which is compatible with the body) into the bone and a crown is placed on top of this to restore the tooth to its original form, function and aesthetics. Implants are versatile, stable and give a more natural result. However, they will be a bit more expensive.
Whether you need a dental crown, filling, or an implant, together, with Docklands, you can design a treatment plan that suits your dental needs right now. Contact Docklands to make an appointment and meet with one of our high-quality dentists, in a friendly and relaxed manner. We will gladly walk you through the various procedures to help you compare all your treatment options so as to ensure you can make an educated decision.
