Tooth decay is a nasty infection that will not get better on its own. If left untreated, it can lead to miserable toothaches, tooth loss, and possibly dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia or sepsis. To make matters even worse, untreated tooth decay can spread to other teeth, starting the cycle over again. Luckily, restorative dentistry can stop tooth decay in its tracks, and your dentist can place either a filling or a dental crown to restore a tooth to its original strength and function. Here’s what you should know about what can make one of these the better treatment.