What’s The Difference Between Dental Veneers and Dental Crowns?
Your smile is an invaluable way to make a great first impression. Consequently, many people feel insecure about themselves if their teeth aren’t perfect. This might be a chipped, missing, crooked, or severely damaged tooth.
Thankfully, there are many dental procedures, both in general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, that can help you regain your confidence and make you proud of your pearly whites. Dental crowns and veneers are types of dental restorations used to restore both cosmetic appeal and function. If you are not certain which option is better for you, read on.
North Pointe Dental Associates is home to some of the best dentists in Tampa. We have helped thousands of patients regain their confidence and be themselves without hiding their teeth. Today, we are sharing everything you need to know about the difference between dental veneers and dental crowns.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns, also known as dental caps, fit over existing teeth or dental implants. For example, if your tooth is crooked or discolored, a dental crown can cover it to restore its aesthetic appeal, protect it, and ensure color and shape uniformity.
Your Tampa dentist will need to do some preparation before dental crowns can be applied. This includes shaving down the enamel to create room for the crown and make an imprint of the trimmed tooth, as well as the surrounding teeth. Then, a crown will be custom-made based on the imprint to ensure the perfect fit.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are wafer-thin coverings that are applied only to the front side of the tooth instead of covering the entire tooth. A veneer might be useful if you have a chipped tooth or a tooth that is noticeably smaller than the surrounding teeth. Veneers can also be used to fix tooth discoloration.
The biggest difference between dental crowns and dental veneers is how the tooth itself is prepared. Veneers are considered to be a more conservative procedure because your dentist will remove less enamel to place the veneer. Unlike with the crown, your dentist will not touch the core or the back of the tooth when placing the veneer.
Which one is better for you?
Veneers are considered to be the best option when addressing relatively minor and aesthetic issues, such as discoloration, gaps, and superficial misalignment. Conversely, crowns are recommended when it comes to more substantial issues, like badly broken or cracked teeth or when a root canal was done. Another instance when a crown is a more preferable option is when the tooth edge has been damaged by grinding because the veneers cover only the front surface, not the edges.
Maintaining your perfect smile
With proper care, your veneers or crowns should last for approximately 10 years. The porcelain we use is stain-resistant. Thus, if you avoid chewing hard substances, your smile will remain perfectly intact.
If you think you need a crown or veneer but aren’t sure which one is the best option for you, give us a call today at (813) 961-1727 to schedule your next appointment with some of the best dentists in Tampa.
