inlay or crown

[nastya]

in the treatment plan my doctor wrote that i need a crown for the 30th tooth, then in the same plane it's written that i need an inlay for the same tooth... do i need to do both procedures for one and the same tooth? and it's also written "inlay gold 3+ surface", does it meen that it will be a gold tooth?

thank you  

[scottma]

A tooth is generally restored by either inlay or crown. Gold inlay is gold colored restoration. If you do'nt like gold color, you can have ceramic inlay restoration, which is tooth colored. The dentist probably will disscuss more with you regarding restoration option.

[nastya]

so which one is better?

thank you

[scottma]

crown, Advantage: if tooth has sufficient length, it's more retentive than inlay.
                            less chance of secondary caries
                            less chance of fracure if occlusion is established correctly
          disadvantage: more tooth structure removed, which is irreversible
                               for molar crown restoration, occlusal interference is easily
                               introduced, if not managed optimally, it can be a desaster.
Inlay, advantage: less tooth structure removed, more conservative
                          less chance of occlusal problem
        disadvantage: less retentive
                             more likely to develope secondary caries if oral hygiene is not well
                             implemented