Why Do I Need Crowns to Replace Fillings?

Continue reading for more information about replacing fillings with dental crowns.

Why Is This Treatment Being Suggested for Me?

When you had the filling placed in your tooth, it is likely that you believed that you would not have to re-address the tooth unless the filling were to break or fail, and in the case that this occurred, you would only need another filling to continue to salvage the tooth.

While this is certainly possible in some cases, in others, a filling simply can no longer do the job.

Here are some examples of what causes fillings to fail or be replaced:

• Amalgam fillings are made with metal. Metals expand and contract with hot and cold. When this filling is placed, the dentist has to place an undercut into the tooth to lock the filling in. As the filling material expands and contracts over time, it has the potential to cause space between the tooth and filling, which allows for bacteria to become trapped and begin to cause decay. Many times, this causes the portions of the tooth to chip off as well.
• Amalgam fillings can be quite unsightly, and can be a cause of embarrassment for some people. This may be one deciding factor in replacing the filling.
• Composite fillings are durable, but not as durable as amalgam fillings. They are much more likely to wear down or break over time.
• Teeth grinding or clenching may lead to the fracture, cracking, or wearing down of the tooth and filling material.
• If the filling is considerably large, it leaves the tooth structure weak overall. This filling has the potential to fail or may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Why Replace With a Crown?

A dental crown is a strong dental prosthetic, usually comprised of a zirconia, metal and porcelain, that is made to be placed directly over the natural tooth in order to form a layer of protection. The crown is made to look exactly like a tooth, and in most cases is completely indistinguishable from a natural tooth to the naked eye.

In most cases, fillings are simpler to place and cheaper than a dental crown. However, some teeth do not have enough natural tooth structure present, and a filling is not strong enough to handle the stress of biting and chewing. A crown may serve as a larger initial investment, but it ensures the complete protection of the natural tooth which is far longer-lasting, and it provides an extremely attractive aesthetic appearance; they are available in wide selections of shades in order to provide a perfect match for the individual’s natural tooth shade.

If the filling has failed due to the new development of decay, it may not be advisable to replace it with another filling. As the dentist removes decay and more tooth structure is lost, the filling becomes larger, increasing the chances of the tooth breaking. If the tooth is filled and consequently covered with a crown, it has an additional layer of protection to ensure that no further decay can occur.

With the information you learned here, you will be better able to understand why it is better to replace a filling with a crown. For more information about dental crowns in San Jose, give us a call at (408) 266-6144.