Restorative Treatment Comparisons
This page is for anyone choosing between two restorative treatments for a damaged or missing tooth. The section holds five comparisons: crown or filling, crown or onlay, root canal or extraction, bridge or denture, and white and amalgam fillings. Each comparison page weighs factors such as cost and longevity. Implant comparisons sit in the dental implants section.
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Open 8am to 8pm, seven days
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, principal dentist and a General Dental Practitioner (GDC 301711), reviewed this page. His qualifications are BDS, BSc (Hons), MSc (Leeds), PG Dip Implant Dentistry and PG Cert Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry.
What does this comparison section cover?
This section covers head-to-head choices between two treatments for the same tooth problem. Each pair sits within restorative dentistry, which is about saving and rebuilding natural teeth rather than replacing them with implants.
The comparison pages weigh factors such as cost, longevity, how much natural tooth each option keeps and invasiveness. Individual restorations are described in the options in our restorative treatments section.
Which comparisons does this section hold?
The section holds five comparisons, each set out on its own page.
Filling or covering a tooth
A filling repairs a hole in a tooth caused by decay; a crown is a cap that completely covers the tooth. The two are compared in choosing between a crown and a filling.
Partial or full coverage
An onlay restores one or more cusps (the raised points of a tooth) and part or all of the biting surface; a crown covers the whole tooth. The trade-off is weighed in comparing a crown with an onlay.
Keeping a tooth or removing it
Root canal treatment removes an infection from inside a tooth so it can be kept; without it, the tooth may need to come out. Both paths are covered in deciding whether to save or remove a tooth.
Fixed or removable replacements
A bridge is a fixed replacement for one or more missing teeth, attached to other teeth; a denture can be taken out of the mouth. The two are compared in comparing a bridge with a denture.
Filling materials
White fillings and amalgam, a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper, are both types of filling. The materials are compared in white and amalgam fillings compared.
To ask about restorative treatment, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
Where are other comparisons covered?
Comparisons involving dental implants belong to the dental implants section, which owns every implant comparison, including implants weighed against a bridge or a denture. See the dental implant comparisons.
Cosmetic comparisons, such as veneers and crowns, sit in the cosmetic dentistry section. If you are unsure which two options apply to your tooth, working out which option suits looks across the restorations rather than one pair.
Frequently asked questions
What should you be told about each option before choosing?
GDC standards say dental professionals must obtain valid consent before starting treatment, explaining all the relevant options and the possible costs. Patients may also want to know each option's risks and benefits, the likely prognosis and what might happen if the proposed treatment is not carried out.
Do the comparison pages tell you which option to choose?
No. Each comparison page explains how two options differ, but the right choice depends on the individual tooth. How much sound tooth remains often matters, because the options keep different amounts of natural tooth. A dentist needs to examine the tooth before recommending any option.
Are costs compared on these pages?
Yes, cost is one of the factors the comparison pages weigh. The final fee for any restoration depends on the tooth, including the extent of damage and the time and materials needed. That is why the practice's current fee list shows "from" prices rather than fixed ones.
Book a consultation.
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Contact the practice through the online booking portal or on 0114 288 2121. There is free parking directly outside.
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
0114 288 2121
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Open 8am to 8pm, seven days
Free parking at the door