Your teeth endure wear and tear routinely without issue usually, but they might start to suffer structural or aesthetic deterioration over time. If you see damage of any kind in your smile, you should talk to your dentist.
They will determine a personalized dental treatment plan to get your smile looking and feeling its best once again. The dentist can employ several types of treatments to accomplish your smile goals, such as custom-made caps that attach to your teeth.
Two of these types of caps include dental crowns and porcelain veneers. Though similar in their basic structure, they achieve very different purposes for your teeth. Read on to compare these two dental fixtures and what they can do for your smile.
Restore Tooth Structure with Dental Crowns
A dental crown refers to a ceramic cap that a dentist uses to restore the structure and protection of a damaged tooth. The dentist builds custom crowns in a dental lab before giving them to the patient, where they can cover and shield a tooth after root canal therapy, advanced tooth decay treatment, or a dental injury.
They must first prepare the tooth by removing a minute amount of enamel to make room for the cap. Then the dentist places the crown over the tooth, sealing it into place with dental cement. This happens over the course of two appointments at your dentist’s office.
The crown can remain in place for fifteen years or longer with proper care. This stops further dental harm from affecting the vulnerable tooth. And though known for its restorative benefits, it can enhance the appearance of the tooth too.
Dentists make crowns on a personalized basis, so they can consider the patient’s smile aesthetic goals when designing them. The crown can cover stubborn stains to give the tooth a brighter and more even finish that also appears natural.
Find Smile Enhancement Through Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dental solution, meaning dentists build these cap-like shells specifically to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile. The dentist creates custom shells according to the patient’s desired look and attaches them to the front of the affected teeth.
They must first prepare the surface of the teeth for better adherence by etching into the enamel. Then they use bonding material to secure the veneers to the teeth. This will also take two appointments at your dentist’s office to fully finish.
As with crowns, the veneers can last for fifteen years when maintained adequately. The patients can see a brighter, straighter, and fuller appearance in their smiles. But veneers can offer oral health benefits too.
Veneers can make it easier to keep your smile clean and healthy through your oral hygiene regimen. So you can better avoid dental concerns while also having a beautiful smile you feel proud of.
While veneers and crowns both attach to teeth and improve your dental structure, they do so in varying ways. Consult with your dentist to learn which treatment will best suit your dental needs.