Crowns – So Much More Than A Filling

dental crown

If your dentist has suggested that you have a crown installed instead of a filling, you may be balking at the idea. After all, crowns can be more expensive than fillings. However, there is a very good reason why your dentist might suggest the use of a dental crown rather than a standard filling and that’s because dental crowns are so much more than just another type of filling.

Dental crowns provide a special kind of protection

Dental crowns are designed to fit over the whole area of your tooth, providing a complete cover to the tooth. Fillings, on the other hand, are designed to protect a small part of your tooth, usually a spot where decay or other damage has put your tooth at risk of further deterioration.

Both dental crowns and fillings are useful for keeping your teeth healthy but the complete covering of the tooth involved with having a dental crown fitted means that they offer a special kind of protection to the tooth that is over and above that provided by a standard filling.

Cavity size matters in the decision to crown a tooth

If there is a small amount of damage to your tooth, such as a small cavity, a filling will probably be your best option. However, in cases of a larger cavity, a crown is likely to be a better solution. This is because a filling replaces the damaged piece of tooth, which is drilled away before the filling is placed. If too much tooth is decayed and needs to be removed by drilling, it can affect the structural stability of the remaining tooth. In these instances, a dental crown is recommended.

With a crown, there is no risk to the structure of the tooth because the entire tooth is encased inside the crown, protected from the force of chewing. The crown acts like a splint that holds the sides of the tooth together so that even if a large area is affected by decay, the structural integrity of the tooth can be maintained.

Crown versus filling – deciding on the most appropriate option

Your dentist’s assessment will consider the size of the cavity and the structural stability of a tooth. From these considerations, a recommendation for a dental crown or filling will be made. If the cavity is small, the dentist will probably suggest a filling. If the cavity is large or on a part of the tooth that makes it difficult to treat without weakening the tooth, the dentist will most likely recommend a dental crown.

Fillings can be used in instances of larger cavities but your dentist will assess the likelihood of problems occurring later should the tooth weaken. Your dentist will usually recommend the best treatment option to ensure long-lasting protection for your teeth.

Click here to book an appointment at Dr Martin Jest Dental Surgery to discuss your options

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Professional Vs. At home Teeth Whitening – Which Is Better?

at-home whitening

So, you took a look in the mirror after you brushed your teeth this morning and you weren’t quite happy with your stained teeth? I think we’ve all been there. The cups of coffee and the occasional glass of red wine can really add up and start to make your once white teeth tinged with yellow. Now you’re faced with an important question: do I go out and try one of the many DIY teeth whitening methods or stick with a professional treatment?

There’s no shortage of products stocking the shelves at your local pharmacy or on the internet claiming to bring out the shine in your pearly whites. Strips, bleaching trays and even whitening pens are only some of the at-home teeth whitening methods available to you.

But are they reliable? Are they even safe? Let’s take a deeper look.

It turns out that some teeth whitening methods can leave you with unintended side effects, the least of which is increased tooth sensitivity and the worst including damaged gums. That’s why it’s always important to consult your dentist before a whitening pen or a bleaching tray ever comes close to your mouth. Your dentist will be able to assess the health of your teeth and decide whether it’s safe for you to whiten them, and if so, which method would be the best.

Your dentist may recommend a professional whitening treatment, which would be the safest option of all. Since teeth whitening is something dentists have been trained in, your dentist will be much more equipped to handle the process.

Not only that, but professional whitening methods are usually stronger than teeth whitening methods. Most whitening toothpastes, for example, have about 3% hydrogen peroxide in them, while a dentist is able to bleach your teeth with a solution of up to 35% hydrogen peroxide. It’s much more concentrated, leading to a more dazzling smile in less time than if you were to do it on your own. No more waiting weeks for your whitening strips to take effect.

So, if you’re looking to bring out the natural whiteness of your teeth once more, it’s best to skip the boxed products from the pharmacy. Head over to your dentist. Your dentist will be able to recommend whether whitening is right for you and which type of treatment is best, leaving you free of worry about any unnecessary pain or side effects from an at-home teeth whitening kit or how long the kit will take to work. You’ll be able to relax and focus on the sparkling smile you’ll be walking out of the dental clinic within only a matter of hours.

Click here to find out more about teeth whitening at Dr Martin Jest Dental Surgery

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