Dentists use various dental restorations to improve the look and feel of your teeth. Remember that, besides chewing and helping you pronounce words correctly, your teeth make your smile beautiful. Thus, how they look is essential. If stains, cavities, or fractures damage your teeth, your dentist will advise you to choose a dental restoration procedure that suits your needs and budget.
Dental crowns and veneers are some of the most popular dental restorations today. Although they both help you achieve a beautiful smile and boost your self-esteem, they differ. Making an informed decision includes understanding what each procedure entails and its pros and cons. A skilled dentist can help you choose the best treatment for your dental issue.
Dental Crowns and Veneers
Your smile is as beautiful as the appearance of your teeth. Sadly, you battle with all kinds of dental problems in your lifetime, some of which affect your smile and esteem. This makes it difficult to say for sure that your smile is beautiful. But you can enhance your smile using one of the myriad options the field of dentistry offers today. Among the most popular options are veneers and dental crowns. The two are similar in some ways and very different in other ways. It helps to understand what each option offers to ensure you make a proper choice for a perfect smile.
Dental crowns and veneers are different treatment options that cater to different dental needs. While they improve your teeth' appearance and functionality, you can choose only one depending on your needs. Both cover a damaged tooth to improve its appearance and make it more functional. Some dental issues you can treat with veneers and crowns are chipped, broken, or cracked teeth, discolored teeth, crooked, weakened, or decayed teeth. However, veneers cover the front part of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth.
Let us look at each of these options separately to understand them for informed decision-making:
An Overview of Dental Veneers
Veneers are made from thin porcelain, usually about one millimeter thick. Dentists bond them to the front of damaged natural teeth to improve their appearance and functionality. Your dentist can recommend a veneer if you have damaged front teeth that affect your smile and teeth’ functionality. The veneer covers the front part of the tooth.
Installing a dental veneer is noninvasive, making it a preferred treatment option. However, your dentist will trim your damaged tooth’s enamel before placing the veneer. The preparation must leave much of your natural tooth intact.
The preparation involves removing some of your damaged tooth’s enamel and roughening it to ensure that the veneer attaches perfectly to the tooth. The process is a little uncomfortable, necessitating local anesthesia to keep you calm and relaxed throughout the installation process. The anesthesia will also protect you from pain, which can be expected during the tooth preparation.
Your dentist will recommend a dental veneer if you are a suitable candidate. The right candidacy entails having sufficient enamel on the damaged tooth to attach the veneer. Your dentist can recommend another treatment option if the tooth is severely damaged.
When installing a veneer, your dentist will first obtain impressions of your damaged tooth to create a veneer in a dental lab. Today, dentists use digital scanning to obtain perfect impressions and create perfect dental restorations. They can also use a mold to obtain the right shape and size of the prepared tooth.
Creating a veneer in a dental lab can take a few days. In that case, your dentist will temporarily restore the prepared tooth to protect it. They will remove the temporary veneer when you return to their office to install the actual veneer.
Dentists use a special cement to bond the veneer to the prepared tooth. Once the restoration is in position and the dentist is satisfied with its appearance, they will use a UV light to cure it. The veneer will remain intact for years after installation.
However, if you habitually clench or grind your teeth, and your dentist fears you could damage your veneer, they recommend wearing a mouthguard when sleeping.
An Overview of Dental Crowns
A dental crown is also created in a dental lab to cover a damaged tooth entirely. The crown is placed on the damaged tooth to improve its appearance, feel, and functionality. Unlike dental veneers, crowns can be used on all teeth, front and back. Installing a dental crown is also more invasive as the dentist prepares the damaged tooth.
Dentists recommend dental crowns to restore a tooth damaged by decay. They begin by preparing the decayed tooth by removing the decay and shaping it to fit the crown perfectly. Sometimes, dentists must build a damaged tooth for the dental crown to fit. Thus, the treatment process can take some time. You will also need local anesthesia to remain calm and not feel pain during the preparation process.
The dentist must first prepare the damaged tooth to install a dental crown. Then, they will take impressions of the prepared tooth to make a perfect crown in the lab. The creation of a dental brown takes a few days. In that case, your dentist will use a temporary crown to protect it while you wait for the actual one. Once your crown is ready, you will return to the dental office for the installation.
The dentist first fits the crown on the prepared tooth to see how well it fits. They then make the necessary adjustments before permanently cementing it to the tooth. Dentists use a special cement to bond the crown and UV light to harden it. Then, it can remain intact for years.
You must take good care of your dental crowns to prevent damage. If your crown shifts from your tooth, it can affect how you bite. Visit your dentist immediately after noticing a problem.
Dental Crowns Vs. Veneers: What To Choose
Sometimes, when presented with two solutions for a dental problem you are experiencing, it could be challenging to choose one over the other. You must consult a skilled dentist for guidance and a detailed review of your options and needs. Even though crowns and veneers serve almost the same purpose, their application differs. For example, dentists recommend crowns for severely damaged teeth, those with larger fillings, and after root canal therapy. If the tooth is slightly damaged or needs a restoration mainly for cosmetic purposes, the dentist will suggest veneers. Dentists also use veneers to correct minor shape issues in natural teeth.
Cost is also an excellent factor when choosing between dental veneers and crowns. A cost-friendly option would be ideal if you are working on a budget. Typically, dental veneers are more expensive than crowns. The actual cost depends on several factors, including the number of affected teeth, size, and location in the mouth.
Note: Many insurance companies do not cover cosmetic dental procedures, and many have an annual limit on how much their coverage can pay for dental services. Before choosing dental veneers or crowns, it helps to determine your payment options with your dentist and insurer.
Your overall cost will also depend on the type of dental restoration. If you choose dental veneers, your dentist will explain the different types of veneers, how they differ, and their benefits. Depending on your preference and budget, you can select composite or porcelain veneers. Although porcelain veneers are costly, they are solid and long-lasting.
If you choose dental crowns, you will have options depending on your preferred material. For example, you can choose ceramic, metal, or porcelain crowns. Different types of dental crowns also cost differently. Your overall cost will depend on your choice, the size of the affected teeth, their location in the mouth, and how much preparation the dentist will make for the tooth.
If you need dental treatment to prevent issues like cavities and gum disease, your insurance company can cover the total cost or part of it. If you need help, you can speak to your dentist about a payment plan that works for both of you.
The Pros and Cons of Crowns and Veneers
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of dental crowns and veneers can help you make an informed decision. You can discuss these with your dentist to determine the best treatment procedure.
Pros and Cons of Veneers
Dental veneers are generally more beautiful than crowns. Thus, they are your best bet if you are looking for a more aesthetically pleasing look after restoring your damaged tooth. Additionally, your veneers will sometimes not reveal your gum margin like crowns, even after years of wearing them. With proper care, you can enjoy a beautiful smile for a long time.
Installing dental veneers can be as simple as preparing your natural tooth. Preparing a tooth for dental restoration usually means trimming the enamel. Although your dentist will prepare your damaged tooth for a veneer, they do not need to trim much of the enamel, which means that much of your natural tooth remains intact.
The veneer covers only the front part of your tooth, not your entire tooth. This means your veneer will likely remain intact for years, even with active use of that particular tooth. It also means that veneers require minimal maintenance. You will enjoy a long service from your veneers with proper care and good oral hygiene.
However, veneers expose much of your damaged tooth to cavity- and bacteria-causing elements. Remember that a veneer only covers a part of your tooth. If the uncovered part of the tooth is still damaged, it can develop a cavity or cause an infection.
Compared to dental crowns, you will need to replace your veneer sooner. Composite veneers, your most cost-effective option, last for only five or seven years, after which you must pay a replacement cost.
Additionally, veneers are irreversible. You must be sure about your options because once the dentist fixes the veneer, you will keep it for life. You cannot change your mind along the way.
Also, insurance companies do not cover dental veneers. Your insurer can cover other dental restoration procedures, not veneers. If this is genuinely what you want, prepare to cover the cost from your pocket.
Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are designed to cover the entire tooth. Thus, if the tooth is severely damaged, a crown will restore its shape, structure, and functionality and protect it from further damage. You will no longer have to worry about decay or infection on the treated tooth.
You can choose dental crowns that look and feel like your natural teeth. Although some options have different colors and textures, porcelain crowns can be customized to look just like your teeth. Then, you can smile broadly and socialize without worrying that some teeth are different. Also, porcelain crowns work just like natural teeth. You will feel the same after the restoration.
Dental crowns are moderately permanent. You cannot remove them when brushing and flossing (like dentures). However, you can change your mind about that restoration along the way.
Your insurance company can cover part of your dental crown installation treatment if you need it for preventive purposes. Ensure you discuss it with your provider beforehand to prepare well for payments after installation.
However, more preparation is required for your natural tooth before installing a dental crown. This means that you will lose much of the natural tooth. This exposes your teeth' inner structure to external elements that could make them painful and highly sensitive to cold and heat. Although dentists use an artificial crown before installing a permanent one, you cannot use your prepared tooth for some time. The pain and sensitivity should wear out after a few days. If not, talk to your dentist immediately.
Even though dental crowns are solid and long-lasting, they are susceptible to damage. You must carefully use them to avoid replacing them sooner rather than later. Porcelain crowns are more fragile and could be damaged after a few years of use.
Over time, some crowns develop a thick line between them and the natural teeth. That could impact your smile and confidence.
Find a Skilled Advanced Dentist Near Me
If you need to improve how your teeth look, your dentist can recommend crowns or veneers. Both offer incredible benefits that you must consider before making the final decision. We can help you understand how each option works and the pros and cons at La Puente Advanced Dentistry. We can also take you through the restoration procedure for quality, cost-effective, and long-lasting service. Call us at 626-626-7075 for more information about installing dental crowns and veneers in La Puente. We will be happy to discuss your options and our services with you.
