Crowns and Veneers

Crowns and veneers are both excellent options to restore teeth and enhance smiles. Both of these alternatives are quite popular, and their results are remarkable.

Both crowns and veneers improve your smile’s appearance. But they are different enough that it’s important to make the right choice based on your specific situation.

This guide gives some information to help you make your decision.

What are crowns and veneers?

Crowns and veneers are types of dental restoration. They cover existing teeth to improve their function and appearance. The major differences between crowns and veneers are:

• How much of the teeth are covered
• The thickness of the covering materials
• How much of the natural tooth is removed

Crowns and veneers both improve the appearance of your teeth.

Crowns

A crown totally encases the tooth. They are porcelain or metal, or even a combination. They are usually twice as thick as veneers so they are more durable and resist cracking better than veneers.

Veneers

Veneers are generally paper-thin porcelain. They bond only to the front side of your tooth. Porcelain is carefully colour matched to natural teeth. They are brittle, but strong. Sharp, repeated impacts could crack or dislodge them.

When a Crown is Best

A crown is best when there is a functional problem with the tooth. The teeth could be badly cracked or broken, or need a root canal. Crowns keep the teeth intact while protecting from further damage.

If an edge of a tooth has damage from grinding, a crown is best. A veneer would only cover the front part of the tooth, and not the edge. Any ground down tooth usually requires a crown.

When a Veneer is Best

Veneers are best when there are mostly minor or aesthetic issues. They are an exceptional solution for:

• badly stained teeth
• chipped teeth
• teeth with minor cracks
• superficial misalignments
• gaps between teeth

Veneers significantly improve overall uniformity and colour, making a big improvement in your smile.

Crowns and Veneers – In Summary

Your dentist is the best judge of how to choose between crowns and veneers. An assessment must be made of your tooth (or teeth) to know which is better. Both improve your smile, so visit us for the smile you always wanted. Book a FREE consultation with Brandon Dental Care.