Dental Veneers vs Crowns: What’s the Difference?

Veneers vs Crowns

Did you know that more than a quarter of people in the United States suffer from tooth decay? There are many dental problems that can destroy the appearance of your teeth and make them discolored, chipped, cracked, and so on. Some may even be damaged to such an extent that it may hurt to chew on them. 

Fortunately, dental crowns and veneers can fix most of these problems. But when it comes to veneers vs crowns, which option is better, and which option is right for you? Is there any difference between them?

Keep reading and learn more about the difference between dental veneers and crowns below. 

What You Need To Know About Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is nothing more than a piece of material designed to fit over your teeth. Dental veneers are mainly cosmetic rather than functional. They will not help you chew better, and they will not protect your teeth. 

However, they can certainly make your smile look a lot better. Dental veneers are somewhat shell-shaped, and they are designed to fit perfectly over the teeth at the front of your mouth. Dental veneers are not placed on the teeth at the back of your mouth because they can’t be seen, and, as mentioned before, they are not functional. 

Dental veneers can fix a whole variety of dental problems. In particular, people like to get dental veneers to get a whiter smile. Traditional whitening treatments can only do so much. 

This is because some people have naturally yellow or even gray teeth, and no amount of teeth whitening treatments will be able to make their teeth any whiter. But getting white dental veneers placed over your teeth can fix the problem. 

Veneers come in many different shades so that you can choose whatever shade you might like. Some people like to choose shades similar to their natural tooth color, while others like to choose very white veneers. During the procedure to get veneers, your dentist will first need to sand down the surface of your teeth. 

The Details

This is important because it will rough up the surface of your teeth so that the veneers have a sturdy surface to sit on. Your dentist will not sand down your teeth all the way, but still quite a lot. 

Another problem that veneers can fix besides discoloration is chipped or gapped teeth. If your tooth is chipped only slightly, a veneer would be the perfect option to cover it. If your tooth is severely chipped or if the nerves are exposed, dental veneers may not be the best option as they won’t be able to protect the damaged tooth. 

Veneers can also cover gaps between teeth. Of course, if your teeth have very large gaps or are very crooked, it will be more beneficial to get braces rather than veneers. But veneers generally cover up relatively small gaps between your teeth. 

Porcelain veneers are particularly popular because they look very real and durable. Ceramic veneers are similar, and they are more affordable. 

What You Need To Know About Dental Crowns

The main difference between dental veneers and crowns is that crowns are functional while veneers are not. Also, the shapes of these two devices are quite different. Crowns are like caps designed to fit over an entire tooth, while veneers only cover the front part of your teeth. 

The main function of a crown is to protect a damaged tooth. For example, if your tooth is very sensitive, has been broken down due to tooth decay, or is severely cracked or chipped, it will be a good idea to cover it with a crown. That way, the tooth will not sustain any more damage, and the delicate nerves within the tooth will also be protected. 

This is also a good way to minimize or get rid of any pain that the damaged tooth may be causing you. This can make it easier for you to chew on that damaged tooth as well. Before you get a dental crown, however, your dentist will need to make sure that you aren’t currently suffering from any tooth problems such as an infection, tooth decay, or gum disease. 

The Benefits of Dental Crowns

After all, a dental crown won’t fix any of those problems. You will need to resolve any of these dental issues before you can get a crown. 

Crowns are very realistic, and many people won’t even be able to tell a crown from your real teeth. Crowns come in various shades and shapes to match the rest of your teeth. When getting a crown, your dentist will need to sand down your damaged tooth so that it is small enough for the crown to fit on top. 

Porcelain and ceramic crowns are quite popular mainly because they are very durable and look very realistic. Porcelain crowns are expensive, while ceramic ones are more affordable. There are also composite resin crowns which are very affordable, but they are not as durable and may not last as long as the other options. 

All About Veneers vs Crowns

When it comes to veneers vs crowns, they are both very good options, but they have two different functions. Veneers are mainly cosmetic and function to cover teeth that are broken, gapped, or discolored. Crowns, on the other hand, are functional and are designed to cover and protect a damaged tooth. 

To learn more about these dental procedures, contact us here to make an appointment.

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