When it comes to feeling confident in how you look, smiles are a big deal for a lot of people. If your pearly whites are crooked, stained, or damaged, this may make it difficult for you to love your smile. Luckily, there are several procedures that can help, including porcelain veneers and dental crowns. Since these treatments can correct some of the same issues, how can you know which one is the better choice for you? Read on to learn about whether veneers or crowns are the best choice for your smile.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells that are made from dental-grade porcelain. They cover the entire front surface of the tooth and require the removal of a thin amount of enamel so they can be cemented to the teeth without looking bulky. They are also color matched to the surrounding teeth so they seamlessly blend with the rest of your smile. Veneers can mask imperfections like cracks, chips, stains, misshapen teeth, and alignment issues.
What Are Dental Crowns?
These tooth-shaped caps completely encircle the visible part of a tooth, which is called the crown. Dental crowns are often used to repair teeth that have been severely damaged or otherwise compromised. They are used to improve both the look and function of a tooth as well as protect it from further harm.
Crowns can be made from several materials, including porcelain, gold, ceramic, zirconia, or metal alloys. They are also customized to match the size, shape, and color of your surrounding teeth, and the underlying tooth will be reshaped to make sure the restoration fits over it without disrupting your bite.
The Difference Between Veneers and Crowns
So, how are veneers and dental crowns different? A few differences between these two options include:
- Shape – Dental crowns are shaped like the top part of a tooth, and veneers are thin shells.
- Purpose – Veneers are usually used for cosmetic purposes, and crowns offer both restorative and cosmetic benefits.
- Cost – The cost of crowns and veneers varies and depends on a range of factors. Veneers aren’t usually covered by insurance since they’re a cosmetic procedure. Since crowns are both a restorative and a cosmetic procedure, they may receive partial coverage.
- Timing – The amount of time you will spend on each treatment varies from case to case. Even so, it usually takes longer to get dental crowns than porcelain veneers. Even so, both of these procedures usually take two appointments to complete.
So, Should I Get Veneers or Crowns?
Be sure to consider your oral health goals and your unique needs when deciding whether veneers or crowns are the better option for your smile. If you have a large cavity that needs to be filled, need a root canal, or have a severely cracked tooth, you should probably get a dental crown to repair and protect your teeth. If you’re mainly interested in correcting cosmetic issues, veneers are likely the better option.
Regardless of which procedure you’re considering undergoing, schedule an appointment with your dentist so you can speak with them about which one is the best fit for your smile. This will help ensure that your results are everything you hoped for!
About the Practice
Tylan Creek Family Dentistry’ treats South Carolina patients with the compassionate care they deserve. They can help you determine if veneers or crowns are the best option to give you the gorgeous grin of your dreams. Call their Powdersville office at (864) 603-2200, their Greenwood office at (864) 407-4455, their Simpsonville office at (864) 962-6671, or visit their website to set up an appointment or for more information on their dental services.