So, you’re at the dentist and they say that you need to have some work done on your teeth that goes beyond a filling. If it’s too much for a filling to fix but not bad enough for you to need an entirely new tooth, you may need a veneer or a crown. Although veneers and crowns both go over your natural tooth, they have different purposes and aren’t interchangeable. Here’s what you need to know about veneers vs crowns so that you can understand which is best for you and why your dentist might recommend one over the other.
The Differences Between Veneers Vs Crowns
While some can get confused about the differences between veneers vs crowns – understandably – they won’t work for the same kinds of issues. While both veneers and crowns are kinds of dental restoration procedures that improve how your teeth look and function, the one your dentist will recommend will depend on the problem that you’re trying to have fixed and the condition your teeth are in.
The key difference between veneers vs crowns is that veneers only cover the front part of your tooth while crowns cover the entire thing. But the differences between veneers vs crowns go beyond how much of your tooth they cover. Let’s go over veneers and crowns and their unique purposes to better explain the differences between veneers vs crowns.
Veneers
As previously mentioned, a veneer is a type of dental restoration that involves a thin layer of porcelain or another kind of material that is bonded to the front of your tooth that is thin enough to feel like part of your real tooth.
Why You Would Get Veneers
Veneers are unique in that sometimes people get them not only to fix dental problems but also for aesthetic reasons. People will get veneers if they’re unhappy with their smile, like if their teeth are yellowed or stained or have a number of other aesthetic problems, such as chipping, irregular shapes, uneven spacing, and more. Veneers enhance your smile by providing a new surface for the front of your existing teeth. If the surface of your teeth are harmed or make you self-conscious, veneers can be a solution for you.
The Process Of Getting Veneers
Before you can get a veneer, your dentist will need to ensure that you have enough enamel in order to sustain it, for it to affix to. After that, they’ll trim the enamel of the front of your tooth in order to make it rough enough for the veneer to bond to while still leaving a good portion of your natural tooth intact. They then make an impression of your tooth or make a mold in order to send to a lab to make your veneer. They may put a temporary veneer on your tooth, depending on how much it was ground down. Once the permanent veneer is ready, they’ll bond it to your tooth with a dental cement.
Crowns
As mentioned before, the key difference between veneers vs crowns is that crowns cover your entire tooth. Crowns don’t preserve as much of your natural tooth as veneers do because of this, since your tooth needs to be ground down in order for the crown to fit over it. In some cases, it may need to be built up, such as if there is significant decay.
Why You Would Get Crowns
While veneers are typically used for more aesthetic concerns, crowns are more often used in cases of significant decay or damage. Crowns can be used to cover discoloration, but they’re more needed in cases where your tooth has been severely damaged, cracked, broken, worn, decayed, or is weak and needs protection. They’re also used to hold dental bridges in place.
The Process Of Getting Crowns
Similar to veneers, crowns require your natural tooth to be ground down and for your dentist to make an impression or mold of it to send to a lab in order to make your permanent crown. They’ll put a temporary crown on while your permanent one is being made, then cement the permanent one in place with a dental cement.
Veneers Vs Crowns: Which Is Right For You?
If you’re wondering about what kind of dental restoration you’ll need and curious about veneers vs crowns, your dentist will be able to tell you based on the kinds of dental concerns you’re facing. For example, if your tooth has very minor damage or just cosmetic issues and is virtually entirely intact, you could go with a veneer. But if it has significant decay or damage or has a large filling that is beginning to fail, you’re better off with a crown.
Do You Want To Learn More About Veneers Vs Crowns?
Mountain View Dental offers both veneers and crowns. While there are differences between veneers vs crowns, they both are great options for their intended purposes. Whether you need veneers or crowns, we can help you out. If you’re wondering about which one you’ll need, don’t hesitate to contact us today and set up an appointment. We want to help you have strong healthy teeth and a smile you can feel confident in.
