A beautiful, healthy smile can significantly boost your confidence. If you have a chipped, cracked, or discolored tooth, you may be considering a dental restoration to restore the tooth's aesthetic appearance and function. Two of the most popular dental restoration options are dental crowns and veneers. While they share some similarities, they have distinct purposes and benefits.
Understanding Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged tooth. Dental crowns are often used to:
- Restore a broken tooth: If a tooth is significantly chipped or cracked, a crown can strengthen and protect it.
- Cover a discolored tooth: Crowns can conceal severe discoloration that cannot be corrected with teeth whitening.
- Protect a weak tooth: If a tooth has a large filling or is weakened by decay, a crown can prevent it from breaking.
- Complete a dental bridge: Crowns are used to anchor a dental bridge, which replaces missing teeth.
The process of getting a crown typically involves two appointments. The first appointment involves preparing the tooth and taking an impression. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent crown is being made. The second appointment involves removing the temporary crown and cementing the permanent crown in place.
Understanding Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. Veneers are highly versatile and are primarily used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of teeth. Dental veneers can:
- Correct discoloration: Veneers can mask stains and discoloration that cannot be removed with teeth whitening.
- Close gaps between teeth: Veneers can be used to close small gaps between teeth.
- Improve the shape and size of teeth: Veneers can be used to reshape or lengthen teeth.
- Correct chipped or cracked teeth: Veneers can be used to repair minor chips and cracks.
The process of getting veneers typically involves two appointments. The first appointment involves preparing the teeth and taking an impression. Temporary veneers may be placed while the permanent veneers are being made. The second appointment involves removing the temporary veneers and bonding the permanent veneers to the teeth.
When to Choose a Dental Crown vs. a Dental Veneer
A dental crown is typically the ideal choice to correct the following:
- Significant tooth damage: If a tooth is severely damaged or weakened, a crown is the best option to restore its strength and function.
- Large fillings: If a filling is too large, a crown can protect the remaining tooth structure.
Dentists may recommend a dental veneer instead to correct:
- Minor cosmetic issues: If you have minor cosmetic concerns, such as discoloration or chipped teeth, veneers can be a good option.
- Desire for a quick and minimally invasive procedure: Veneers require less tooth preparation than crowns.
Overlapping Situations
In some cases, both crowns and veneers can be used to address similar issues. For example, both can be used to repair a chipped tooth. The choice between a crown and a veneer will depend on the severity of the damage and the desired outcome.
Selecting the Best Method for Restoring Your Smile
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether a crown or veneer is right for you is to consult with your qualified dentist. They can assess your specific needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment, whether it's a restorative treatment with dental crowns or an aesthetic smile upgrade with dental veneers.