At first, porcelain veneers and dental crowns may seem very similar. They both cover up your teeth, and help improve your smile. But beyond these surface similarities, they’re actually quite different. Confused? In this blog, the team at Smillie Dental will break down the specifics about both treatments and how they differ from one another.
Porcelain Veneers Are Meant To Treat Cosmetic Flaws With Your Smile
Let’s start with porcelain veneers. These are very thin, tooth-shaped shells made of a durable porcelain ceramic material. They fit over your existing tooth, and cover up the front surface of the tooth to treat cosmetic flaws like gaps in your smile, stained teeth, or slightly chipped teeth.
The biggest difference between porcelain veneers and crowns is that while crowns cover up the entire tooth, veneers cover up only the front of the tooth. This means that veneers require much less of your tooth to be removed, which is a good thing for cosmetic dentistry.
However, this also means that veneers do not provide the same level of strength, durability, and protection as a dental crown. Because of this, porcelain veneers are not appropriate for treating damaged teeth. They are exclusively used to treat cosmetic flaws with your smile.
This also means that you can’t get veneers if you have damaged or decayed teeth. Your mouth must be healthy before you can get cosmetic dentistry in Port Orange, so you may need additional treatments to prepare for veneers.
Crowns Are Primarily Intended To Treat Damaged Teeth
Crowns are also made of porcelain that looks and feels just like natural tooth enamel. But they are a lot thicker than veneers. And unlike veneers, they are designed to completely cover up the entire surface of your tooth, not just the front surfaces.
Because crowns are a lot thicker than veneers and cover up the whole tooth, a lot more enamel must be removed to prepare for a dental crown. However, this also means they provide superior protection and are more durable and long-lasting.
So, unlike veneers, crowns are primarily a restorative treatment. This means they are meant to treat teeth that have been compromised by tooth decay and oral trauma, or teeth that are damaged due to oral health problems such as teeth grinding (bruxism).
However, dental crowns can still be used for cosmetic purposes, in some cases. Compared to veneers, they may be more a better option for teeth that are severely misshapen, or for restoring both the health and appearance of a damaged tooth.
Interested In Restoring Your Smile? Contact Smillie Dental Today!
Whether you have minor cosmetic issues with your smile like chipped teeth or stained teeth, or you have more serious issues like tooth decay or a broken tooth, Dr. Joseph and Dr. Helen Smillie are here to help.
At our office Port Orange, Smillie Dental provides a wide variety of cosmetic and restorative dentistry services. Contact us online or give us a call at (386) 317-4754 to schedule an appointment today, and get a customized smile restoration plan that fits your needs and your budget.
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