As general rule crowns cost 4-5 times as much as fillings because they require considerable more chair time and material expense to the dentist. Crowns also give patients a stronger, longer lasting, more permanent and more aesthetic restoration.
Fillings:
- Fillings are done when there is a small chip or hole in a tooth - lots of solid tooth structure remaining after caries removal.
- Fillings are done in one visit, usually taking 15 to 30 minutes of chair time after diagnosis.
Crowns:
- A crown is indicated when the carious destruction in the tooth is larger than ~50% or when a large portion of the tooth has fractured off and there is not enough support for a filling.
- Most crowns require two visits. One for the preparation, impression, and fabrication of a temporary crown (while the permanent crown is made at the local laboratory). The second appointment is needed to remove the temporary crown, fit, adjust, and cement the permanent crown.
- The first appointment (crown prep) is about 90 minutes long, the second appointment (crown insert) about 45 minutes long.
- Also, if the tooth is heavily destroyed, an additional filling under the crown (core build-up) is needed.