When exploring restorative dentistry options, you might have come across veneers and crowns. Both of these options help restore your teeth and improve their appearance. But how to know which choice is right for you? Continue reading this blog to learn the difference between veneer vs. crown.
We’ll go over what they are, what purpose they serve, and the process involved. Hence, you can look forward to understanding what the best choice for you is.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown covers your whole tooth, as it restores badly damaged teeth. Therefore, you’ll need a dental crown if your tooth has been fractured, decayed, cracked, or more.
Your dentist will remove the decayed area of your tooth before placing the crown. Moreover, sometimes they rebuild some of the tooth to secure the crown properly. Since they’re tooth-colored caps and usually made from porcelain, dental crowns look like natural teeth.
What is a Veneer?
Veneers are around one-millimeter-thick and typically made from dental porcelain. Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry option that helps restore the aesthetics of your teeth.
Your dentist will etch down about half a millimeter of your tooth enamel to easily bond the veneer to your tooth. This is because the cement sticks better to a rough surface. Hence, a veneer is placed on a tooth with sufficient existing enamel.
Dental Crown vs. Veneers: What are the Benefits?
Now that you’ve learned what dental crowns and veneers are let’s discuss the benefits they offer.
Veneers are wafer-thin shells that mask any imperfections or defects your teeth have. They’re beneficial in many ways and help when your teeth are:
- Chipped
- Broken
- Discolored
- Gapped
- Small
- Crooked, pointed, or unusually shaped
When it comes to dental crowns, they offer the following benefits:
- Reshapes teeth
- Holds a damaged or cracked tooth together
- Restores fractured or cracked teeth
- Protects teeth after root canal
- Improves appearance issues like discoloration and mild misalignment
- Replaces large or old, worn-out fillings
Crowns vs. Veneer: The Procedure
You might be wondering about the different procedures involved in crown vs. veneer. The process of getting a crown and veneers vary.
After your dentist confirms that you can get a veneer, they’ll call you for a feasible date to perform the procedure. First, they’ll reshape your tooth to make an impression. After that, they make the model and send it to a laboratory. Then, you’ll be called in when your dental veneers are prepared, and your dentist will place them on your teeth. Usually, the procedure takes three visits to the dental office.
If you’re getting dental crowns, you’ll most probably make two visits. Before the procedure, the dentist will take an x-ray to examine your tooth’s roots and the bone surrounding it. In case of excessive decay or infection, they’ll treat the issue before proceeding. When it’s time to place the crown, your dentist will numb the affected area. Next, they’ll reshape the tooth to make space for the dental cap. After they’ve treated or fixed your tooth, the dentist will make an impression. You’ll be called in when the lab prepares your dental crown, which matches the color of your teeth. Then, if all is right, they’ll place the crown.
The dentist usually places a temporary alternative on the tooth when taking impressions and getting the crown or veneers.
What to Do?
Now that you know how dental crown vs. veneer differs consult your dentist to make the right choice. Our Angleton Family Dental team is always here to guide you and offer the best treatments. You can talk to us at (979) 308-4450.
Our dental office is at 1124 N Velasco St, suite c, Angleton, TX 77515, United States. When you spot What Burger, keep moving straight and turn right, you’ll reach our clinic.
