Dental restorations include tooth-colored fillings and crowns which are designed to reinforce damaged or decayed teeth at various levels while providing cosmetic beauty. A filling will generally be the right choice for a cavity, whereas a crown is necessary when a tooth is broken, or decay has set in far enough to go down into the root canals and dental pulp.
Questions
Q1. True or false: Fillings are less common in modern dental times.
Q2. True or false: Tooth-colored fillings are not very common because they aren’t commensurate with the strength of metal.
Q3. True or false: Dental crowns and dental caps are synonymous with each other.
Answers
A1. TRUE – Metal fillings have become less prevalent over the years. In fact, the need for dental fillings at all has reduced; likely attributed to the fact that more people have had access to fluoride and preventive dental care in recent years. There are also better oral hygiene products on the market, including germ-killing rinses to boost your dental health.
A2. FALSE – While it is true that metal fillings might provide more technical strength, they have largely become passé due to the way they stand out in a mouth full of mostly natural teeth. Tooth-colored materials are more attractive and seal the area more efficiently. There is a risk for cracking, but metal also expands and contracts with temperature shifts, so teeth can end up cracked either way, though this is rare. Many people sporting old amalgam or gold fillings choose to have them replaced with tooth-colored restorations.
A3. A crown is a cap that fits over a weakened tooth. Many people refer to crowns as caps. Broken teeth, teeth that have been severely worn down, cracked teeth, or cavities that have gotten to a point where not much tooth structure remains are all viable for a dental crown. Pressed porcelain is generally the material of choice for crowns, though other materials are available. Dr. Engelberg will work with you to figure out the best solution to provide you with a restoration that has both cosmetic form and restorative function.
ABOUT YOUR LIBERTYVILLE DENTIST:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.
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