Dental Veneers Vs. Crowns: Which One is The Best?

Thanks to improved technology, you don’t have to lose your tooth if it’s damaged. You can use dental procedures to repair tooth damage and restore your oral health, bite functions, and appearance. When considering dental restorations, you can be confused about which treatment is right. Let’s discuss dental veneers vs crowns.

Dental veneers Vs. Crowns Explained

What are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is a thin tooth-colored coating or shell bonded to a tooth to hide or repair the damage. It contains porcelain or composite resin materials. The veneer is customized to match your natural teeth’ color, size, and shape to provide the most natural results. Your dentist can recommend veneers to:

• Treat worn-down teeth.
• Close improper tooth gaps.
• Fix minor misalignments.
• Hide tooth discoloration.
• Improve the shape and size of an uneven or misshapen tooth.
• Treat minor tooth damage like chips and cracks.
• To improve a gummy smile.

Dental Veneer Procedure

When placing the veneer, the dentist will begin numbing you. Next, they will trim a small portion of the damaged tooth enamel. It is essential for bonding and to create enough room for a veneer to bond perfectly. Some veneers, like Lumineers®, require less to no tooth trimming.

Once the tooth is ready, the dentist takes impressions and other records of your teeth and sends them to a lab to create the customized veneer. A temporary veneer bonds to the tooth for protection.

Once the customized veneer is ready (it takes about 2 – 3 weeks), you’ll be called in for the fitting procedure. If necessary, the dentist will make adjustments and then permanently bond the customized veneer. You’ll be ready to go home and enjoy your new smile. Contact our dentist for dental veneers in Glastonbury, CT.

What are Dental Crowns? What to Expect

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped restoration placed over a tooth to repair or hide the damage. Crowns contain materials like gold, zirconia, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Like veneers, crowns match the aesthetics of your natural teeth.

Your dentist can recommend a dental crown to:

• Hold together a severely chipped, cracked, decayed, or broken tooth.
• Strengthen a weakened tooth.
• Protect a worn-down tooth.
• Cover a large filling.
• Protect a tooth after a root canal.
• To cover teeth stains
• Improve the appearance of a misshapen or uneven tooth.
• Support dental bridges.
• Cover a dental implant.

Dental Crown Procedure

The dentist numbs you to keep you relaxed and painless during the procedure. You might need a root canal if your tooth is infected.

Next, the dentist will shave down a significant portion of the tooth’s enamel. The dentist might need to rebuild the tooth if it doesn’t have enough structure to hold a crown adequately.

Next, the impressions of the teeth and other records are taken and sent to a dental lab to create the customized crown. The dentist will then use a temporary tooth crown for protection until the permanent one is ready.

Once the customized crown is ready, the dentist will test its fit and make any adjustments if necessary. The customized crown is then cemented permanently with a stronger cement. Contact our dentist for dental crowns in Glastonbury, CT.

What’s the difference between veneers and crowns: Which is Better?

Since dental veneers and crowns are used interchangeably to repair tooth damage like chips, gaps, cracks, and discoloration, you might wonder which treatment is right for you.

Perhaps the key difference between the two treatments is that a dental crown covers the entire tooth structure while a dental veneer only covers the front of a tooth.

That said, a crown is a better option to repair a severely chipped, fractured, broken, or discolored tooth. While they also offer cosmetic benefits, crowns are primarily used for restorative purposes.

On the other hand, a veneer is best suited to repair minor damage to a tooth that’s otherwise strong and stable. Veneers are primarily recommended for cosmetic treatments rather than restorative benefits.

Schedule an Appointment Today with our dentist in Glastonbury, CT

Are you interested in dental veneers, crowns, or other dental restorations? Schedule the dentist appointment with Steven F. Hinchey, DMD, to begin your treatment today.