Are you deciding between dental veneers or dental crowns? Both options are very similar but have some differences as well. Here is our outline between veneers and crowns!
Veneers
Veneers are a simple option for patients wanting to change their smile. A veneer is a thin covering that goes on top of your tooth. It looks identical to your natural tooth so no one will know the difference. The dentist can match the color of the veneer to the rest of your teeth so nothing looks out of place. People choose dental veneers for a variety of reasons, but some of the most popular include:
- stained teeth that cannot be whitened
- chipped or worn down teeth
- crooked or misshapen teeth
- uneven or gaps in the smile
The process of getting veneers is fairly simple but requires more than one visit. Your dentist will have to complete a variety of tasks in multiple visits before you end up with the final product. Your teeth will need to be molded so the lab knows exactly how to make your veneers. They can either be made out of porcelain or composite resin. Once your mold is sent to the lab, you will likely receive a temporary veneer. When the lab completes the process of creating your veneer, you will go back in for a fitting. Once your final set is molded on to your tooth, you are good to go!
Crowns
A crown is different from a veneer in the sense that it is a cap for your tooth, not a thin covering. A crown covers the top of the entire tooth depending on the severity of the situation. The crown allows the tooth to restore its normal shape, size, and function. It not only improves the way it looks but the strength of the tooth as well. Like a veneer, a crown is used to protect your tooth and enhance your smile. Crowns are another way patients can change the appearance of their smile. Crowns are chosen for a variety of reasons, including:
- the cavity is too large for filling
- cracked, worn down, or weakened tooth
- root canal treatment
- cover discolored tooth
- hide oddly shaped tooth
- improved smiles
Crowns are created for different materials including metal alloys, ceramics, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or composite resin. Like a veneer, your crown will be created to match the color of the rest of your teeth. It is designed to blend in and looks just like the others. Your dentist will create a mold that will naturally fit your teeth and rest comfortably on your tooth.
To learn more about the difference and similarities between crowns and veneers, visit Westmoreland Dental Group. At Westmoreland Dental, we provide patients a variety of services including veneers, crowns, cosmetic procedures, and more. We ensure our patients leave happy and healthy. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with our dentists, visit us online here or call us at (423) 282-2844 today!