Care
Fillings and crowns
How a dentist decides between repairing a tooth with a filling and protecting it with a crown, and what each may involve.
Availability to be confirmed Clinical review pending
Illustrative content for family and clinician review. Service availability and the actual patient experience have not been confirmed. This page does not describe a treatment as available at the practice. A clinician decides what is suitable for each person, and individual costs and appointment schedules are not yet known.
When a tooth is decayed or damaged, the question is how best to restore it. Smaller problems can often be repaired with a filling. When much of the tooth is missing or weakened, a crown may protect it better. The two are described together here because a dentist often weighs one against the other.
Fillings
What it is
A filling repairs a tooth where decay or a small area of damage has created a cavity. The damaged part is removed and the space is restored with a filling material, keeping as much healthy tooth as possible.
Why people ask about it
People ask about fillings when decay has been found at a check-up, when a tooth has become sensitive to sweet or cold things, when food keeps catching in one spot, or when an older filling has chipped or worn.
What assessment may involve
The dentist looks at the size and position of the cavity, how much sound tooth remains, and whether the nerve might be affected. X-rays can show decay between teeth or beneath existing fillings.
Common approaches and alternatives
Filling materials include tooth-coloured composite and amalgam. The dentist chooses and explains the options based on the size and position of the cavity and the forces the tooth takes when you bite. If a large part of the tooth is missing or weakened, a filling alone may not be the best choice, and a crown or another restoration may be discussed.
The cause matters as much as the repair. How often sugary food and drink are taken, cleaning habits and fluoride use all affect whether new decay develops, so a good plan addresses both.
Questions to ask a clinician
- How large is the cavity, and is the nerve at risk?
- Which filling materials are suitable here, and why?
- Is a filling enough, or would another restoration protect the tooth better?
- What caused this decay, and how can I reduce the risk of more?
Important to know. Not every cavity can be restored with a filling, and a filled tooth can still develop new decay around its edges. Regular reviews help catch this early.
Crowns
What it is
A crown is a cap that covers a tooth completely. It is usually considered when a tooth has been substantially damaged or weakened, for example by a fracture or a very large filling, or after root canal treatment. Crowns are also used in some other restorative situations, such as supporting a bridge.
Why people ask about it
People ask about crowns when a tooth has broken, when a large filling keeps failing, after root canal treatment, or when a tooth's shape or colour has changed significantly.
What assessment may involve
The dentist looks at how much sound tooth remains, the health of the nerve and gum, and how your teeth meet when you bite. The aim is to find the option that fits the condition of the tooth: a filling, a crown, removal, or another approach.
Common approaches and alternatives
Fitting a crown typically involves shaping the tooth so the crown can sit over it, taking an impression or scan, and fitting the finished crown, sometimes with a temporary crown in between. Crowns can be made from porcelain, metal or combinations of materials, each with trade-offs in strength and appearance.
The number of visits, and how long a crown lasts, depend on the tooth, the material chosen and how it is looked after.
Questions to ask a clinician
- Why do you recommend a crown rather than a filling?
- How much of my tooth will need to be shaped?
- Which materials are suitable, and what are the trade-offs?
- How should I care for the crowned tooth, and what signs would mean a problem?
Important to know. A crown protects a tooth but doesn't make it immune to decay or gum problems at its edges, and it can't save a tooth with too little sound structure left. No fixed lifespan can be promised.
Sources and review
Drafted from the sources below, which describe UK and US practice. Clinical review pending: a named clinician must review this page, including how the guidance applies under local requirements and practice, before it can appear on the clinic's official website.
- NHS: Dental treatments (page last reviewed 8 July 2026; checked 26 September 2026)