The Role Of Fillings And Crowns
Fillings and crowns are extremely important to modern dentistry since most people will have experience with one or the other at some point. Both can be used to correct and prevent serious problems, but they aren't necessarily as intuitive as you might want. To help you get a better idea of how both fillings and crowns work, here is an overview of the facts:
What is a filling?
Fillings are a more basic tool and are just used to fill in missing portions of teeth. If you have a bit of enamel that has worn off, then a filling can protect your tooth from further decay down the line. In some cases, fillings are necessary due to a genetic deficiency of enamel. In other cases, poor hygiene can lead to worn enamel and excessive exposure to bacteria. Regardless of the reason, fillings can help cover up holes in your enamel, ensuring that your teeth are properly protected from any bacterial danger in the future.
How are fillings installed?
Fillings are much faster to install, with the entire procedure only taking a few minutes. You may be given an anesthetic since your nerves might be exposed and sensitive due to the decay. The filling is added to the tooth quickly, at which point it is adjusted and sanded down until it is smooth and flush with the tooth. When all is said and done, the filling should be indistinguishable from the tooth.
What is a crown?
If fillings are used for small problems, then crowns are used when things get serious. When a significant portion of your tooth is missing or damaged, then a crown may become necessary. Specifically, a crown is used to replace large portions of a missing tooth, but crowns can also be used as a cosmetic procedure if you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth.
How are crowns installed?
The first step is for your dentist to clean off the tooth in question and take a mold of its shape. This will be used to create the crown, which should perfectly fit your tooth. During the weeks that this takes to make, you will be given a temporary crown that, while not comfortable, should keep your tooth safe and protected.
Once the final crown is ready, you will need to go to the dentist (such as Simmons Craig A D D S) and have any final adjustments done. The crown should fit perfectly by the time you leave, and although it might feel a little strange at first, it should feel perfectly natural after a few weeks or months.
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