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Dental Crowns vs Porcelain Veneers

If your teeth sustain damage, whether structurally or cosmetically, a dentist can help you restore the look and feel of your smile. They can provide custom-made caps that attach to the teeth to improve them in various ways. Treatment can vary depending on the desired results and necessary requirements of the dental work.

Two options for this kind of treatment include dental crowns and porcelain veneers. Both use fixtures attached to the teeth but for varying purposes. Read on to see how these two dental procedures compare and contrast with each other and why your dentist might recommend them for your dental needs.

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Restoring Tooth Structure with Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a ceramic cap that will fit over the entire surface of the tooth, providing extra protection that will seal into place using dental cement. This provides a long-lasting and durable fit, shielding a tooth that might have suffered an injury or another type of dental damage.

The process begins with shaving a minute amount of enamel from the tooth to make room for the cap. You can receive a local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel pain during this procedure. Then when the custom cap is ready, the dentist places it over the tooth and seals it for a permanent restoration.

Though strong, a dental crown could dislodge under high pressure, like an ill-timed bite. If this occurs, the seal breaks, and the underlying tooth becomes exposed to potential threats. Call your dentist right away if this incident occurs.

Though known for its restorative advantages, a crown can improve the appearance of a tooth too. Dentists build crowns on a custom basis based on impressions of the smile. But they can factor in the patient’s aesthetic goals as well.

So a crown can reshape a tooth or cover stubborn stains, providing enduring cosmetic dental benefits. Learn more by scheduling a consultation with your dentist today.

Improving Smile Aesthetics with Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are shells that attach to the front of a tooth for the purpose of enhancing its appearance. Unlike crowns, veneers cover this specific part of the tooth rather than its entirety. And they are used for cosmetic reasons rather than restorative ones.

The procedure for veneers is similar to dental crown treatment. The dentist must prepare the surface of the affected teeth by etching into the tooth enamel. Then they secure custom veneers to the teeth using bonding, a cement-like adhesive.

Dentists design veneers to withstand the wear and tear that your teeth routinely experience. But veneers might crack or fall off of the tooth under high pressure. In this case, call your dentist because this poses a similar risk to underlying teeth as dental crown damage.

Veneers can give you a brighter, straighter, and more even smile. But they can also improve your dental health in some cases. A dentist can tell you more about potential health advantages during your next appointment.