Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers and Cosmetic Crowns

veneers and cosmetic crowns

Cosmetic Dentistry

Veneers and Cosmetic Crowns

Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth, mouth, and your smile. Some cosmetic dentistry can be only for appearances, but often there is some functional and restorative benefit. There are several common procedures that make up the total of cosmetic dentistry. Many are very simple, like teeth whitening. Other procedures require specialized care because they are more complex, like veneers and cosmetic crowns. 

Cosmetic Dentistry – Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are made out of medical-grade ceramics. They are custom designed for each patient. Dentists apply veneers to the front sides of your teeth with a special adhesive. Your veneers can match the size, shape and colour of your natural teeth.

These bespoke veneers look exceptionally realistic. Your smile can be improved to resolve several cosmetic dental problems such as:

  • A noticeable gap between teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Long or short teeth
  • Damaged enamel

Cosmetic Dentistry – Cosmetic Crowns

Cosmetic crowns are much like veneers, except they have an additional functional purpose. If there is something structurally wrong with your tooth, it may require a cosmetic crown. After a root canal or if the tooth is badly cracked or broken, a crown provides more support for the tooth.

If you grind your teeth and the edges are worn, a crown is required because veneers do not cover the edges of the teeth. A cosmetic crown is cosmetic dentistry, but it goes beyond into restoration as well.

Cosmetic Dentistry – Tooth Preparation Differences

Veneers

A veneer is a more conservative type of treatment than a crown. Less of the teeth must be removed to seat a veneer. Your dentist just removes a small layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface, on the front side of your tooth. The back or the core of your tooth do not need to be touched.

Crowns

A crown requires 60 to 75 percent of the visible tooth trimmed before the crown can be placed. That’s 2 to 4 times as much reduction from the teeth as for veneers.

How to Maintain Your Perfect Smile

Veneers or crowns last about 10 years with the proper care. You must brush and floss because the porcelain will become discoloured. They are pretty stain-resistant, but bleaching or whitening treatments won’t work.

Take care to not damage your veneers or crowns by watching what you eat. Biting on hard foods or other substances can cause damage. Also, wear a mouth guard if you are physically active so you prolong the lifespan of your cosmetic dentistry and your new, beautiful smile.

The first step to getting that new, beautiful smile is to Book a FREE consultation with Brandon Dental Care.