Dental crowns and veneers are popular treatment options for people who have cracked a tooth, want to make cosmetic changes to their teeth, or are looking to step up their smiles. Although both of these procedures can positively influence the appearance of a tooth, they are two different solutions that potential patients should weigh carefully.
Dental crowns are used to cover an entire tooth. This means that every part of the tooth above the gum line is encased in porcelain, which helps strengthen the tooth and improve its appearance.
Like the name would suggest, veneers only cover the front side of a tooth. This porcelain front allows for changes in the color and shape of the tooth.
When deciding whether to opt for dental crowns or veneers, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Veneers are typically placed on teeth that are healthy and strong. Porcelain veneers tend to be weak and do not strengthen or otherwise alter the integrity of a tooth. Patients who have generally healthy teeth who are seeking a change in color, shape or alignment should consider porcelain veneers.
Crowns, on the other hand, are helpful for protecting teeth that are cracked or otherwise damaged. While crowns can still adjust the shape and color of a tooth, they are also able to strengthen and rebuild teeth that are severely decayed or broken. If a tooth is unhealthy, a crown is a better solution than a veneer.
Patients should consider the purpose for which they are considering either procedure, as well as the health of their teeth when making a decision between dental crowns and veneers.
For teeth that are pretty strong and only require slight cosmetic changes, veneers are probably best. Veneers are a good solution for issues that are strictly aesthetic in nature.
For broken teeth that need support or restoration, crowns are a better option. A dental crown will not only improve the way a tooth looks, but it will also rebuild the structure of a tooth and allow patients to use the tooth the way they would naturally.
If there are no underlying issues or problems with a patient’s teeth, veneers are a good treatment option. However, if a tooth is in desperate need of repair or protection, patients should choose a dental crown.
Veneers require less tooth reduction than dental crowns. In fact, in some situations, no trimming is needed at all. Patients who have minor cosmetic issues to fix should probably opt for a procedure that does not require much tooth reduction.
According to Hawthorne East Dental, placing a crown requires anywhere from 63% to 76% of the tooth to be trimmed. If a tooth is severely damaged, this tooth reduction can help protect the healthy parts of the tooth that remain. However, this is not ideal if the tooth is relatively healthy.
In order to choose the dental procedure that will work best for their own unique needs, patients should consider the purpose of the procedure, the health of their teeth, and the amount of enamel trimming that will be involved.
A dentist can help provide more information and make sure patients understand the difference between veneers and dental crowns before they make a decision.
Request an appointment here: http://www.riversdentistry.com or call Rivers Family Dentistry at (979) 710-2216 for an appointment in our Bryan office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, you might want to talk with an implant dentist first about what getting implants entails, including aftercare for your implants. The dentist will be able to share with you how the procedure will work, what recovery looks like, and what you should be doing to…
Dental problems can seem to happen out of the blue, but knowing what to do next can result in better health outcomes for your smile. Calling an emergency dentist is often the best next step. These general dentists can help when dental issues cannot wait for a scheduled checkup. With prompt treatment, they work quickly…
An implant dentist is a dental professional who specializes in teeth replacement treatment with dental implant restorations. A dental implant is a screw-like titanium restoration that is placed into the jawbone and serves as the root of a replacement tooth (or multiple replacement teeth). In this review, we discuss the services that an implant dentist…
A root canal can save a painful or infected tooth and help patients return to normal eating and comfort. If you have been told that you need this procedure, you may feel a wave of anxiety based on stories you have heard from friends or read online. Thankfully, modern dentistry uses advanced imaging and pain…
If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, you might want to talk with an implant dentist first about what getting implants entails, including aftercare for your implants. The dentist will be able to share with you how the procedure will work, what recovery looks like, and what you should be doing to…
Dental problems can seem to happen out of the blue, but knowing what to do next can result in better health outcomes for your smile. Calling an emergency dentist is often the best next step. These general dentists can help when dental issues cannot wait for a scheduled checkup. With prompt treatment, they work quickly…