Veneers Vs. Crowns: What You Need to Know
Sometimes we see the terms “veneers” and “crowns” used interchangeably. Although there are some similarities between the two, such as how they lok when you smile, they do have structural differences. Certain factors determine why one may be better than the other for your particular situation.
Veneers Vs. Crowns: The Similarities
Both veneers and crowns are shells that fit over individual teeth. They are customized restorations that are designed and fabricated using the same methods. A professional dental laboratory technician takes care of ensuring that every piece is perfect. These restorations are made from the same, or similar materials. Both are hand painted to the desired shade. Once the color is set on the veneer or crown, it will stay like that forever; it won’t stain or whiten.
Since it will take a few weeks to get your new restorations made by the lab, you’ll wear some temporaries in the meantime.
When it comes to veneers vs. crowns, they’re adhered to the tooth using a strong cement. Both restorations are considered permanent and will last for many years (a minimum of five years is ideal.) If you take particularly good care of your teeth, you may get many more years out of your investment.
The natural tooth structure under veneers and crowns can still decay, so having good home care is crucial. You’ll need to also visit our Newport Beach dentist regularly to have your restorations evaluated. A professional cleaning with one of our dental hygienists should be scheduled at least every six months. During this time, we’ll clean off any buildup that’s been left behind by your toothbrush and potentially lead to a cavity or gum disease.
During your visit, we’ll examine all your teeth to make sure everything looks as it should. We also regularly take x-rays to check the health of the natural tooth underneath. If anything appears abnormal, we can step in and address the problem early.
Veneers and crowns are an investment. You’ll want to do everything you can to protect them and ensure that they last as long as they’re intended to.
But before you get a crown or veneer, you’ll first have to have the natural the tooth prepped. This initial process is where you start to see the differences in veneers vs. crowns.
The Differences: Crowns vs. Veneers
To make room for your new restoration, our Newport Beach dentist, Dr. Yazdan, will first have to reduce the thickness of your natural teeth.
When it comes to crowns vs. veneers, crowns need more preparation. This is because a crown covers all sides of the tooth, while a veneer only fits over the front and immediate edges.
This brings us to another difference between the two. Crowns are made to protect weak teeth. But veneers are strictly used to improve the appearance of how your smile looks.
If you’re unhappy with your smile and want a smile makeover, then veneers may be the solution for you. Veneers can improve the look of teeth that are discolored, crooked, gapped, crowded, chipped, or aren’t the ideal size.
Veneers are usually only placed on front teeth, and occasionally the premolars (just in front of your molars.) The quantity needed will depend on the width of your smile. Most people need about six veneers. Wider smiles may require between 8-10. To know exactly how many you’ll need to achieve the complete smile makeover, you’ll want to come in for a veneer consultation with our Newport Beach dentist.
Like a veneer, a crown improves the look of a tooth, but it also serves a more important purpose: protecting damaged or weak teeth. Crowns wrap completely around all surfaces of the entire tooth up to the gum lines. The full coverage allows for optimal retention. For this reason, more reduction of the natural tooth is needed as opposed to preparing the front of a tooth for a veneer.
Crowns are a great option if you have a broken tooth, a large amount of decay, a lot of wear, or had a root canal.
For a complete smile makeover, it’s not uncommon to use a combination of veneers and crowns to achieve the overall desired look. Again, when you visit our Newport Beach dentist for your consultation, Dr. Yazdan will devise a custom treatment plan specific to your needs.
Get The Opinion of Our Newport Beach Dentist
If you have a tooth that you think is weak and could benefit from a crown, or maybe you want to improve the way your teeth look and are considering getting veneers, we invite you to visit The Center For Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Yazdan, our Newport Beach dentist, can help you decide if veneers vs. crowns are best for you. Call today for a consultation.
About Dr. Yazdan
