The right restoration for you depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains and how well it can support the repair. Here's how Dr. Ochoco thinks through the decision:
When a Dental Filling Is Appropriate
- Decay is caught early, and the surrounding tooth structure remains largely intact
- The affected area is small enough that composite resin can restore it reliably
- An existing filling needs replacement, but the tooth itself remains strong
When a Crown Is the Right Choice
- Damage or decay has compromised the tooth's overall structure
- The tooth has cracked in a way that leaves it vulnerable to further fracture
- An existing restoration has grown large enough that replacing it would weaken what remains
- The tooth needs protection as well as restoration
In some cases, Dr. Ochoco may monitor a tooth over several visits to our Santa Monica dental practice before recommending treatment. If the situation is stable and a watch-and-wait approach is reasonable, that's what he'll suggest. His goal is to recommend the most conservative treatment the clinical evidence supports, not the most involved one.
Schedule an Evaluation with Dr. Ochoco
To schedule an evaluation, call (310) 453-5300. Schuster and Ochoco Dental serves patients from Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the surrounding Westside communities.