Dental veneers and crowns are both tooth restoration methods that offer significant advantages in repairing front teeth and improving the look and function of your teeth. Let's understand the difference between veneers and crowns.
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| Veneers vs. Crowns |
What are the Differences Between Dental Veneers and Dental Crowns?
While the physical appearance of veneers and crowns may be similar, they serve different purposes.
The main difference is that a veneer covers the front of the tooth and is primarily used for cosmetic reasons. In contrast, a dental crown covers the entire tooth and is used to restore the shape and strength.
Read more: How to Properly Take Care of Your Teeth and Mouth
Here, we'll go over what to think about if you're thinking about getting veneers or crowns.
What Is a Veneer?
Dental veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, are wafer-thin shells of tooth-colored materials that are custom-made to cover the front surface of your teeth.
This is done to make you look better.
The shells are bonded to your teeth' front surfaces, changing their:
- Color
- Shape
- Size
- Length
It's critical to think about the different types of dental veneers available, made of porcelain or resin composite materials.
Porcelain veneers and composite veneers are two terms for the same thing.
A surgeon can use Veneers to whiten teeth that have become discolored as a result of:
- Root canal treatment
- Tetracycline or other drug-related stains
- Excessive fluoride
A surgeon can also use Veneers to cover the following:
- Worn
- Chipped
- Broken
- Misaligned
- Gapped teeth
Procedure
A dental veneer generally needs three visits to the dentist:
- Consultation
- Fabrication
- Placement of the veneers
To determine if dental veneers are right for you, your dentist will need to examine your teeth and go over the entire procedure with you.
The tooth surface will need to get reshaped to prepare your tooth for a veneer.
After that, your dentist will create a model of your tooth, also known as an impression. The model is then sent to a laboratory for testing.
Temporary dental veneers can be used in the meantime. Your dentist will examine the fit and color of the veneer on your tooth.
Before permanently cementing the veneer to your tooth, they will remove and trim it to achieve the proper fit. The veneer's color can change depending on the type of cement used.
The tooth will then be cleaned, polished, and etched to prepare it for the veneer.
The veneer adheres to your tooth with special cement. Etching roughens the surface of the tooth to facilitate the bonding process.
Your dentist will shine a special light beam on the veneer once it is appropriately positioned to activate chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden quickly.
Remove any excess cement, check your bite, and make necessary adjustments in the final steps.
Your dentist may ask you to return in a few weeks for a follow-up appointment to check your gums and the veneer placement.
Pros
- Veneers have a very natural, tooth-like appearance.
- Gums well tolerate porcelain.
- Stain resistance is a feature of porcelain veneers.
- To make dark teeth appear whiter, choose a color.
Cons
While veneers have benefits, there are some risks to be aware of:
- The procedure cannot be reversed once it has been completed.
- Your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks after the enamel has been removed.
- Veneers may not match the color of your teeth perfectly.
- The veneer's color cannot be changed after it has been installed.
- Veneers can dislodge or fall off, even if it's unlikely.
- Even if you have veneers, you can still get decay.
- Veneers aren't a good choice for people who have gum disease or decay in their teeth.
- Veneers are not recommended for people who clench or grind their teeth because this can cause the veneers to crack or chip.
What Is a Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over the entire tooth to protect it. This is done to restore the tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance by covering it.
Crowns encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line when cemented in place.
If a large portion of your tooth is missing, your dentist will "build up" the tooth with filling material to support the crown.
Your dentist will use a paste or putty to make an impression of your tooth to receive the crown after it has been reshaped.
Digital scanners are sometimes used to create impressions. To ensure that the dental crown won't affect your bite, your dentist will take impressions of the teeth above and below the one receiving the crown.
The impressions or scans are sent to a dental lab, fabricating the crown. This procedure can take anywhere from two to three weeks.
If the crown is made of porcelain, your dentist will match the shade to the neighboring teeth as closely as possible.
Your dentist will make a temporary crown during the first visit to cover and protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made.
At the second appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and examine the permanent crown for fit and color.
The tooth will be numbed with a local anesthetic if everything looks good, and the new crown will be permanently cemented in place.
Pros
Dental crowns can help with a variety of dental issues, including:
- Providing support for a tooth that has been severely decayed.
- Putting a crown on a dental implant
- Keeping a severely cracked or broken tooth from falling out
- Changing the shape or color of a tooth to improve its appearance.
Crowns are long-lasting and can last anywhere from five to fifteen years, depending on how well they are maintained.
Cons
When getting a dental crown, there are some risks and complications to consider, including:
- Your teeth may be sensitive to heat or cold after receiving a crown.
- Crowns, particularly porcelain crowns, are more susceptible to chipping.
- A crown can become loose or even fall out if there isn't enough cement to keep it in place.
- Some people may have an allergic reaction to the metal used in some crowns, which is uncommon.
- You may have gingivitis or gum disease if the gums around your crown become sore, irritated, or bleeding.
Aftercare
If you're considering veneers or crowns, it's important to remember that both procedures require maintenance.
After receiving veneers, the recovery time is relatively short.
You can eat and generally chew after the cemented veneers, and the anesthesia wears off.
Porcelain veneers last about ten years on average. Taking certain precautions can help you get the most mileage out of them.
These precautions include:
- Avoiding chewing on complex objects
- Using your teeth to open a package is not a good idea.
- Chewing with your front teeth should be avoided.
- If you participate in sports, you should get a mouthguard.
Stay away from sticky and hard foods for the first 24 to 48 hours after receiving a dental crown.
After that period, you can begin to treat your crown as if it were a natural tooth.
While a crowned tooth doesn't require any special attention, it's important to remember that just because a tooth is crowned doesn't mean it's immune to decay or gum disease.
Keep in mind that the goal of both veneers and crowns is to improve your smile and the function of your teeth.
Veneers are typically used when a cosmetic improvement, such as a chipped tooth, is desired. When a tooth has had a lot of decay, crowns should be considered.
Consult your dentist to determine the best course of action based on your dental health, desired outcome, and budget.
Read Also:
1. 5 Common Dental Problems and How to Prevent Them
2. 10 Easy Ways for a White and Healthy Smile