Restoring teeth after damage is one of the best ways to protect the remaining structure and avoid the need for a full extraction. Restorative dentistry offers a lot of different options for restoring teeth that have been damaged or chipped.
Until recently, the most popular option for restoring a broken tooth was a dental crown, but advances in dental materials mean that modern options like composite bonding are becoming increasingly popular.
Crowns and composite bonding are not only used for restorative reasons, but also for cosmetic reasons. Patients are choosing to enhance their teeth using these modern and innovative treatment options, but which one is right for you?
Composite bonding vs crowns: an introduction
A crown is a porcelain cap that fits over the top of a tooth to provide protection and support for the underlying tooth structure. It can also be used to change the shape, colour and length of the tooth, which can provide cosmetic enhancement.
Composite bonding uses a soft and pliable resin applied directly to the tooth to change the shape, colour and alignment. The resin is cured with UV light which causes it to set hard, so it can be further shaped and polished as required.
The two treatments can be used to enhance individual teeth, helping to address imperfections such as gaps, chips, cracks, thinning enamel, dental staining and peg-like teeth. Changing a single tooth can have a dramatic impact on the smile as a whole.
Benefits of composite bonding
The main reason to choose composite bonding over crowns would be the cost. Composite bonding is a lot cheaper than alternatives such as porcelain crowns, as the materials used are much cheaper. The restoration is also applied directly to the teeth, so we don’t have to rely on a third party lab to create the restoration.
Composite bonding is also a very fast treatment that can be completed in just one visit. There is no waiting and no downtime, so it’s highly effective for delivering fast and effective smile makeovers.
Benefits of crowns
Crowns are a popular choice for restorations as they are incredibly strong and durable. Porcelain or ceramic is the most common material for crowns, and this is long-lasting and resilient. A crown is highly effective for restoring the aesthetic qualities of your smile, but also the functional bite.
Crowns also look very realistic and offer a similar semi-translucent look as a natural tooth with its glossy enamel. Crowns are also highly resistant to staining.
Which is right for you: composite bonding or crowns?
To decide which restoration is right for you, you should first consider if your restoration is purely aesthetic or also functional.
For a fast and effective cosmetic restoration, composite bonding is ideal. It offers limited protection for the underlying tooth, particularly in cases of enamel erosion. It can also help to transform the look of a single tooth to help elevate the whole smile.
For more serious restorations, crowns are ideal. These are strong and sturdy restorative options that will help to protect the underlying tooth from further damage. This type of restoration also looks and feels very natural, but wearers will need to be mindful of the potential to damage the crown when biting into very hard food items.
It’s important to be aware of the lifespan of each treatment. Composite bonding is designed to last for around 5 years, while crowns can last for 12-15 years with good care.
If you’re struggling to decide between crowns and composite bonding, book an appointment with our team to learn more about your treatment options. We can help you to make the right choice for your needs.