What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is sometimes called a “cap.” It goes over your natural tooth to provide protection. Dental crowns allow you to drink beverages and eat food items of any temperature without feeling any sensitivity.
Dental crowns are made of advanced ceramics that many people call “porcelain” because of their porcelain-like luster, which happens to be the same luster as natural teeth! But don’t worry, dental crowns are very sturdy and long-lasting. The average life of a dental crown is about 15 years, but with proper care, they could last much longer, even 20-25 years. Palmetto Bay dental crowns at Luxe Smiles are stain-resistant, so you can eat and drink your favorite foods without worrying about your crown staining the moment you eat or drink them. However, be sure to use good oral hygiene and brush your teeth twice a day to prevent long-term staining. Even though you can’t see your natural tooth, it still lives under your dental crown. So taking care of your gums is very important because it’s possible to get gum disease with a dental crown.
Dental crowns can also be used as a cosmetic dentistry treatment in place of porcelain veneers. While porcelain veneers only cover the front of your tooth, dental crowns cover your entire tooth and can make for a more protective and full cosmetic dentistry treatment.
Dental Crowns Can Repair…
A Palmetto Bay dental crown can;
- Repair cracks
- Repair chips
- Whiten your teeth
- Change the shape of your teeth
- Change the size of your teeth
- Straighten a crooked smile
- Repair tooth wear
- Alleviate tooth pain
- Decrease sensitivity to cold and hot
- Cover thinning enamel to lessen general sensitivity
What is a Dental Filling?
A dental filling is another type of tooth repair, but it’s for less severe damage than a dental crown. You have likely heard of dental fillings in the context of repairing cavities. Luxe Smiles Palmetto Bay dental fillings are made of a tooth-colored composite material or tooth-colored ceramic. Depending on the level of damage, our Palmetto Bay dentists will do an inlay (less damage) or an onlay filling (more damage).
Dental Fillings Can Repair…
A filling from our Palmetto Bay dental office can repair;
- Cavities
- Minor cracks
- Minor chips
- Minor wear
The Material Used For Your Filling Matters
There are many different materials that can be used for fillings, but at Luxe Smiles in Palmetto Bay, we only use materials that won’t cause damage to your teeth or wellness down the road. That’s why we use composite and ceramic when we perform a filling.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings match the color of your teeth and require very little healthy tooth removal to make room for the filling. It’s micro-mechanically bonded to your tooth to add stability. They’ll last about 7-10 years and can fix other types of damage rather than just cavities.
Ceramic Fillings
Ceramic fillings are made of the same material that a dental crown or porcelain veneer is made of. The advanced ceramic is tooth-colored and is extremely durable, lasting 15 years or more with good oral hygiene.
Amalgam or Metal Fillings
Another popular filling (and one of the only options) was an amalgam filling or a silver filling. While silver fillings can last a long time and are inexpensive, they pose some issues for your teeth and health and don’t look as attractive as tooth-colored fillings.
Large portions of the healthy tooth usually need removing to make room for a metal filling, and they contain mercury which leeches from the filling to your body over time. Metal is also temperature sensitive, so if you eat or drink something color or hot, you’ll likely experience sensitivity. Amalgam fillings expand over time, causing further damage to your tooth and making a crown the only option for repair. Metal fillings discolor over time, too, and some people experience allergic reactions.
These downfalls lead our Palmetto Bay dentists to not offer this type of filling. In fact, we recommend people replace their metal fillings with tooth-colored composite or ceramic.
When to Get a Crown vs. a Filling?
When do you know if you need a crown vs. a filling? The easiest way to know is to make an appointment at our Palmetto Bay dental office. Dr. Naranjo or Dr. Testar will consult with you and examine your teeth to determine which tooth repair option is best for your situation.
Generally speaking, larger damage will need a crown. If you have a cavity, you’ll likely get a filling. If you have damage besides a cavity, our Palmetto Bay dentists will let you know which type of repair would best suit your needs.
Repair the Health, Function, and Beauty of Your Smile in Palmetto Bay with a Dental Crown or Dental Filling
If you have tooth damage or would like to replace your metal filling with a more aesthetically pleasing and healthful option, call (305) 253-7670 or make an appointment online. Our local Palmetto Bay dentists can help you repair your teeth, reduce sensitivity and pain, and achieve your dream smile.
