Veneers and dental crowns are both highly effective restoration treatments, but there are many differences between them. Deciding which one is right for you is based upon the specific circumstances, what is wrong with your tooth, and your personal preferences as well as those of our cosmetic dentist.
Common Uses for Dental Crowns
Although dental crowns were once commonly used for cosmetic purposes such as correcting discolored teeth or teeth with surface damage. However, a crown requires the underlying tooth to be reshaped, so when less invasive treatments like veneers became more mainstream, crowns were used almost exclusively for restoration treatments.
Common uses for crowns include restoring:
- Broken-off teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Teeth that have already been filled and have experienced additional damage
- Teeth that have been treated with a root canal procedure
- Crowns are also used to anchor replacement teeth in a crown and bridge.
When a crown is placed, the underlying tooth must be restructured to make room for it. In the case of a crown and bridge, this usually means removing significant enamel and dentin from a healthy tooth. This is the main reason why veneers have become the approach of choice for many cosmetic treatments.
Common Uses for Dental Veneers
Veneers are very thin and made of porcelain. They are affixed to the front surfaces of the teeth with special adhesive that helps them bond to the enamel. Only a very thin layer must be removed to make room for a veneer. Veneers can treat:
- Surface cracking, pitting, or chips
- Severe staining
- Intrinsic staining
- Minor gaps
- Minor misalignment that does not require orthodontic treatment
Veneers are custom-made and color matched so your treated teeth won’t stand out from your untreated teeth. The porcelain is durable and semi-translucent, making it look even more like natural enamel. If your teeth have been treated with veneers, be careful not to chip them, damage the edges, or expose them to staining agents.
If you have any questions, contact us at the office of Dan Bush today to set up a consultation.
