If you have a cavity, you will need to have it removed as soon as possible, to stop the decay from spreading. If your cavity is treated quickly enough, it will likely only need a filling. However, when a cavity has progressed past your enamel, and harmed the interior of your tooth, a filling may not be strong enough to restore it. A dental crown can restore a weakened tooth that has lost too much material to be treated with a filling. A dental crown can also serve as a replacement for a tooth that has been lost.

Dental Crown, Or Filling?

A filling can fill the holes in a tooth after it has been treated for a cavity. When too much of a tooth has been lost for a filling to provide adequate support, your dentist can protect the weakened tooth with a dental crown. Dental crowns are designed to protect weakened teeth, and to perform its operational duties. Dental crowns are commonly used on teeth that have undergone a root canal treatment. A dental crown can also be used as a replacement for a lost tooth. In this case, the crown is typically attached to a dental implant.

CEREC

With CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics), your dentist can create a customized crown, and affix it to your tooth, in a single visit. Your dentist can create a 3D image of your tooth, use that image to create a custom-fit crown, and have the crown ready to attach, all in one visit. With CEREC technology, you can have your cavity treated, and your crown attached, without having to make multiple appointments.