Veneers vs. Crowns

veneers vs crowns

Veneers vs. Crowns

Did you know that veneers and crowns are two different types of tooth restoration that can be used to improve the look of your natural teeth? The main difference between veneers and crowns is that crowns cover the whole tooth, while veneers only cover the front. As dental restoration procedures, both veneers and crowns have excellent success rates. Today we’ll compare veneers vs. crowns so you can know which option will work best for you.

Veneers vs. Crowns: What’s the difference?

Dental Veneers

Composed of a very thin layer of porcelain, veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers enable you to keep your tooth mostly intact—only about half a millimeter of the enamel on the front of your teeth needs to be shaved down for bonding. The veneer needs a rough surface to bond with, but if your tooth enamel is too damaged, you may need a crown instead. 

Veneers are modeled from an impression of your teeth, using either digital scans or a physical mold. Once your perfectly-shaped veneers are ready, they will be permanently bonded to your teeth using dental cement and UV light. After your veneers have been placed, they are permanent—they shouldn’t move very much, if at all.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown covers your entire tooth. Similar to veneers, the surface of your tooth will need to be filed down to create a rough surface for bonding. Crowns require more grinding of the tooth surface than veneers, because they cover the entire tooth and not just the front. If you’re restoring a decayed tooth, the damaged portion must be removed before the crown is placed. 

Crowns are also modeled from a scan or physical impression and designed to perfectly fit in your mouth. Once your crown is made, it will be placed and adjusted so that your bite is correct, then cemented into place. Unlike veneers, crowns can move a bit, and may need further adjustment if they shift and affect your bite.

Why Undergo Tooth Restoration? 

Many people choose tooth restoration to improve the quality of their smile as well as their oral health. Common reasons include permanent stains, discolored teeth, crooked teeth, weakened teeth, broken or chipped teeth, and extensive tooth decay. The type of restoration you need will determine whether or not a crown or a veneer will work best for you.

Local Dentist for Crowns and Veneers in Prescott

The first thing people notice about you is your smile. A beautiful smile will give you more confidence in your personal and professional life. If chipped, stained, or crooked teeth are “hiding” the real you, perhaps it’s time to schedule a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist. In just a few visits, you can get dramatic results! Call Prescott Dentistry today at 928-445-1660.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/29/2021). Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash