Alternatives to the Dental Crown: What Are They?

Many patients look for an alternative to a dental crown when looking for a dental restoration or after root canals. A temporary crown or cap is the most preferred dental approach and is effective in repairing a damaged tooth. There may be different reasons for a patient to seek an alternative to a dental crown. This includes a person's budget, the severity of tooth damage, the general fear of dental procedures, etc.

For many people, the budget is the main concern. Therefore, they look for a cheaper alternative to the dental crown. If for some reason, you do not want a dental crown, there are many alternative options to choose from, but it is best to consult your dentist first. Together you can choose the most suitable for you.

In this article, we will talk about different alternatives to dental crowns, although cheaper.

What is the alternative to a dental crown?

If you're looking for an alternative to a dental crown, you probably won't like the idea of ​​this procedure because it alters your natural teeth. In other cases, you may not be prepared for the expenses associated with a dental crown. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you can take a look at the prices for this procedure in Turkey. But if you're not ready for a permanent crown or a traditional crown, your choice of treatment may include different solutions. Here are some alternative dental solutions dentists often recommend in cases like yours.

The best alternative to a dental crown are:

• Extracoronary inlays (onlay)

• Intracoronary inlays (inlay)

• Composite temporary fillings

•  Tooth Extraction

Extracoronary incrustations (onlay)

In the event that a dental crown is not your first choice or your dental insurance does not cover it and you are looking for something economical, an extracoronal inlay can be chosen as a cheaper alternative to a dental crown providing a more definitive treatment. The process involves removing the damaged part of your tooth and covering it with a custom-made silver/gold or porcelain filling.

An extracoronary inlay is one of the types of restorations that are placed on the cusps of the teeth after the dentist files and removes the damaged part of the tooth. In simple words, it covers the entire upper surface of a natural tooth structure.

It is a completely safe option and the best thing is that it is the least invasive procedure compared to crowns. When a crown is placed, most of your original tooth is also removed in order to make enough space for the crown. When an onlay is placed, only a limited part of your tooth is removed to get rid of decay. The same part is sealed with a restorative filling material such as composite resin or amalgam (gold or silver).

Extracoronary inlays are available in various materials and each material varies in terms of price and durability.

Intracoronary inlays (inlay)

Dentists can exchange a crown with an intracoronary or extracoronary inlay depending on the situation of your tooth. If the decay has not infected the entire upper part of your tooth, then your dentist will most likely recommend placing an intracoronary inlay in the affected area. Intracoronary inlay is also a relatively cheaper alternative to a dental crown for cavity because the procedure is short and less invasive.

Like onlays, inlays are also created using custom-made fillings or composite materials to cover the middle and top of the tooth. The most commonly used materials for inlays are porcelain/ceramic, gold, and composite resin.

This is an ideal option for people who want a less invasive procedure.

Composite temporary fillings

A composite filling is the easiest and least time consuming restoration for your weak tooth after a decay situation. It is a short-term solution that restores the entire damaged tooth to its original shape and structure. They are also called indirect resin crowns. However, they should not be considered a long-term solution.

Temporary or short-term composite fillings are made of less effective materials such as resin, glass ionomer, amalgam, etc.

Short-term composite fillings are prone to fracture, dislodge, cause more decay, destroy tooth enamel, and infect the gums and surrounding teeth.

The rapid advancement of dental technology has made the process of obtaining composite fillings much easier today. Today, you can be evaluated by your dentist and receive your filling on the same day, so if you want a quick solution to your dental pain, a composite filling could be the ideal option for you.

Tooth Extraction

Most dentists advise against it and consider it the last resort for healthy teeth. Tooth extraction is a very cheap alternative to a dental crown, but it can cause long-term damage to your teeth and jaw bone. Therefore, it should be taken as the last treatment option as it is by far one of the most invasive treatments.

If the empty space is not filled with some form of dental restoration, such as an implant, crown or veneer, dental bridge, the rest of your teeth are left open to decay, infection, fracture, and in extreme cases, breakage. .