Both crowns and veneers are regularly used in cosmetic dentistry and each provide valuable benefits for patients. In this article, we will look at some of the key differences and also help you determine which option might best meet your needs as a patient.
Both dental treatments resolve many of the same issues. However, there are certain conditions that might make one a better option over the other in certain situations. The first thing you will want to know are a few of the fundamental differences between veneers and dental crowns.
Veneer
Porcelain veneers are strong, thin shells that can be bonded to one or more existing teeth. After some enamel is removed from the natural tooth, a veneer is place over the surface and cemented into place. The veneer provides a natural-looking tooth.
Crown
Dental crowns are made of porcelain as well, but cover more of the tooth structure. Like veneers, they are made to look just like natural, healthy teeth.
When Are Veneers a Better Option?
If your teeth are otherwise healthy, but discolored or crooked, veneers might be the right option for you to choose. While the cosmetic improvements are drastically noticeable, veneers do not provide much in the way of functional or structural improvements.
When it comes to veneers vs crowns, you may want to consult a professional and experienced local cosmetic dentist about how veneers may be the right choice for you.
Caring for Veneers
Caring for veneers is as easy as taking care of your natural teeth, there is no special care required. Our custom designed and constructed veneers will be permanently bonded to your teeth. You can just brush and floss as usual.
When Are Crowns the Better Choice?
Unlike veneers, ceramic crowns address both cosmetic and structural issues of your teeth. For instance, cracked or chipped teeth can be covered with a crown. Sometimes, a cavity might be too large for a filing. In this situation, a crown is the better option.
The high quality ceramic crowns made at some dental practices are formed using CEREC technology in some instances. That means the dentist can create a permanent, custom crown at an in-house lab in about an hour. No more wearing a temporary crown while you wait for days on end for a lab to complete your permanent crown.
You will need at least two different dentist appointments for the traditional (non-CEREC) crowns to be administered. The dentist will take measurements and create moldings during the first session then send the data he has collected to a dental lab which manufactures the permanent crown. Permanent crowns can take around two to three weeks to create, but the dentist will then apply temporary crowns. A temporary crown is most likely made of acrylic and they will be using a temporary cement to make sure it stays in place.
Since patients can receive a temporary crown while the lab works to complete the permanent crown, it is important to know how to care for both types, which is pretty easy to do. Temporary crowns, however, are only worn for a few weeks, up until the permanent crown can be applied.
Avoid hard foods – Raw vegetables, peanut brittle, and the like can move the crown when you bite them. This will not be an issue once the permanent crown is in place. But it is vital to be very careful when you are wearing a temporary crown.
Minimize usage of the tooth with the temporary crown – Every so often, crowns are placed on the teeth located at the back of the mouth. The location of the crown makes it hard for you to floss or clean. The solution for this is to chew on the opposite side of the mouth to keep the area clean.
Flossing correctly – Remove any food stuck between your teeth by using dental floss. Doing this process should be done slowly and gently with temporary crowns. If you are not careful, you could cause the temporary crown to pop right off.
Avoid sticky foods – Chewy or sticky foods can attach themselves to the crown and might dislodge it. Eating caramel or chewing gum should be avoided.
Use mouthwash – Preferably use antibacterial mouthwash to treat the area surrounding the crown in your mouth.
Practice good oral habits – Nail biting is definitely a no-no. So is eating ice, grinding your teeth, and using your teeth to open packages.
Veneers vs Crowns: the Similarities
Both crowns and veneers are made from high-quality porcelain, which is strong, reliable and natural-looking. Both options can be shaped and color matched to provide your teeth with a more natural look and feel. Thanks to the use of CEREC technology, both of these procedures can be done quickly, in as little as one visit after any underlying issues are addressed.