Dental Veneers Vs. Dental Crowns: Which is Best?

Dental veneers and crowns are cosmetic dentistry procedures that help improve your aesthetic appearance. They are similar in their design, procedure, and final appearance in your mouth. Although they are used for cosmetic purposes, the two treatments have many differences. Here are some of the differences between the two. Read on.

Difference Between a Veneer and a Crown?

A veneer is a thin material about one millimeter in thickness that’s mostly bonded on the front teeth for their natural appearance.

Dental crowns in Hannon, Hamilton, ON are made from porcelain about two millimeters in thickness. They cover the whole tooth.

Some conditions of your teeth will determine whether you’ll get a veneer or a crown. Common cosmetic dental problems we fix at Rymal Family Dental include:

• Crooked teeth
• Chipped, broken, or cracked teeth
• Discoloured teeth
• Weakened or decayed teeth

Veneers and crowns resemble the colour of your teeth except crowns made from all metal. Therefore, veneers are more preferred when dealing with front teeth than crowns.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are layers of material placed over a tooth by a dentist. They cover damaged and discoloured teeth making your teeth appear white and glossy. Veneers can also be used to protect your teeth from further damage.

They are made of porcelain or composite, which needs a small section of the enamel removed for your teeth to be ready for application. The enamel is removed to roughen the surface where the bonding of the veneer will occur. A local anesthetic is administered to you because the removal of the enamel is painful.

The Procedure of Getting a Veneer?

When you get your dental veneers in Hannon, Hamilton, ON, our dentist will make an impression of your prepared tooth by moulding or scanning it. Then, they send the image to the laboratory.

You’ll have a temporary veneer depending on how your tooth was trimmed. You’ll also have to wait until the permanent one is ready.

When the permanent veneers are done, the dentist will bond them to your tooth with special cement. Then, an ultraviolet lamp is used to harden the veneer.

After the veneer is put in place, the movements of the tooth become minimal. You’ll need to wear a mouth guard to protect the veneer if you clench your teeth at night.

What is a Crown?

It is a dental cap that covers the teeth completely or encircles a tooth. It is applied when you have a large cavity that threatens the health of a tooth. Your dentist bonds it to the teeth with dental cement.

What is Involved When Getting a Crown?

During your visit to the dentist, they will scan or mould your teeth to produce an impression. The dentist will fabricate the mould or send it to the lab if they do not have the facilities with them.

Our dentist in Hannon, Hamilton, ON, will cover your teeth with a temporary crown to stand in place before the permanent crown is ready. Once the permanent crown is ready, our dentist will replace the temporary one with it.

The dentist will adjust the crown to make sure it fits perfectly, and you have the right bite. They’ll then cement the crown in place. If you experience some movements that affect your bite after the crown replacement, contact us immediately.

How Do You Know Which One Is Right For You?

A crown will be the best option if you have a large filling or your teeth are badly broken. However, if your tooth is intact and you want restoration for cosmetic purposes, a veneer is the best option. Veneers are also appropriate for minor shape corrections.

Pros and Cons of Veneers and Crowns

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Some are listed below:

Pros of Veneer

• Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining
• They make crooked teeth straight and have whiter looking teeth
• Veneers change your appearance instantly

Cons of Veneers

• They are irreversible –and enamel is removed to fit the veneer
• Removal of the enamel can make your teeth more sensitive to cold and heat

Pros of Crowns

• Your tooth is more protected with a crown since it covers the tooth completely.
• They can restore cracked teeth
• Crowns can reshape your tooth for a better bite
• They serve as replacements for worn-out fillings

Cons of Crowns

• Porcelain is fragile and can be damaged easily
• More enamel is removed to make space for the crown
• Crowns increase the risk of nerve damage

Contact our dental office for cosmetic dentistry services if you ever need dental crowns or veneers for front teeth. We’ll be happy to help.