Fillings & crowns in Houston
When a tooth is decayed, cracked, or worn, we rebuild it so it looks and works like your own again — with tooth-colored fillings and natural-looking crowns. Many of our crowns are made right here in the office, often in a single visit.
A "restoration" is simply how we rebuild a tooth that's been damaged by decay, a crack, or everyday wear. Small problems are fixed with a tooth-colored filling. Bigger problems — a large cavity, a cracked tooth, or a tooth that's had a root canal — usually need a crown, which caps the whole tooth to protect it. We'll always explain which one your tooth needs and why.
Filling or crown — what's the difference?
It comes down to how much of the tooth needs rebuilding. A filling repairs a small area. A crown covers and protects the whole tooth.
A filling (left) rebuilds part of a tooth. A crown (right) is a cap that covers the whole tooth.
Tooth-colored fillings
For cavities and minor damage, we use tooth-colored composite fillings that match the shade of your tooth. They blend right in, so a repaired tooth doesn't show a dark spot when you smile or laugh.
Natural look
Matched to your tooth color — repairs that don't stand out.
Conservative
We keep as much of your healthy tooth as possible.
Replace old fillings
Worn or stained older fillings can be refreshed for a cleaner look.
Same-day crowns, made in our office
Many practices send crowns to an outside lab, which means a temporary crown and a second visit a few weeks later. At SoftDental, we design and mill many crowns right here using our in-office MCXL milling unit — in eMax or zirconia when appropriate.
- Often just one appointment instead of two
- No temporary crown to wear (or worry about coming loose)
- A strong, natural-looking crown designed to fit your bite
Not every tooth is a candidate for a same-day crown — we'll let you know if yours is.
When a filling isn't enough
Sometimes a tooth is too damaged for a simple filling to hold up. A crown is usually the better choice when:
A large cavity
When decay has removed a big part of the tooth, a filling alone may not be strong enough.
A cracked tooth
A crown holds a cracked tooth together and helps prevent it from breaking further.
After a root canal
A treated tooth can become brittle, so a crown protects it from fracturing.
A worn-out filling
When an old, large filling keeps failing, a crown is often the longer-lasting fix.
How it works
Exam & honest plan
We look at the tooth, take any needed X-rays, and tell you whether a filling or a crown is the right fix — and why.
Gently prepare the tooth
We numb the area and remove the decay or damaged part of the tooth.
Restore it
For a filling, we place and shape the tooth-colored material. For a crown, we scan the tooth and mill your crown in-office.
Check your bite
We make sure everything feels comfortable and natural before you leave.
Why patients choose SoftDental
In-house crown milling
Our MCXL unit lets us make many crowns same-day, so you're not waiting weeks.
Natural-looking materials
Tooth-colored fillings and porcelain crowns designed to match your smile.
Honest recommendations
We only suggest a crown when a tooth truly needs one — never to upsell.
Three languages
Care explained clearly in English, Tiếng Việt, and Español.
SoftDental is in-network with many PPO plans. Coverage for crowns varies, and some plans apply a "material downgrade" (they pay based on a basic material even if a better one is used). We'll check your benefits and give you an estimate of your share before treatment begins, so you can decide with full information.
Common questions
Can you make a dental crown in one visit?
What is the difference between a crown and a filling?
Are your fillings tooth-colored?
Will insurance help pay for a crown?
How long do fillings and crowns last?
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Let's get that tooth fixed
Whether it's a small cavity or a tooth that needs a crown, we'll explain your options honestly and get you comfortable again. Request a consultation today.
Related at SoftDental
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Whether your tooth needs a filling or a crown depends on an exam. SoftDental protects your health information in line with HIPAA.