Dental crowns and veneers are two popular methods of restoring the aesthetic appearance of a damaged tooth while maintaining functionality. But if you have the choice of getting dental crowns vs veneers on your front teeth, which one should you choose? Crowns and veneers offer a variety of benefits but also come with unique drawbacks.
Front Teeth Crowns vs Veneers: Explaining The Difference
Both crowns and veneers are similar in that they can restore an aesthetically pleasing appearance to teeth. You might have a broken, chipped, cracked, or decayed tooth requiring an immediate restorative procedure. Alternatively, you may want to improve the appearance of a stained or discolored tooth or one that is crooked enough to stand out from the rest. A cosmetic dentist can make crowns and veneers that blend in with your natural teeth in any of these cases. But it’s important to note – especially with your front teeth – that dental crowns and veneers have some fundamental differences.
How They Work: Crowns vs Veneers
Crowns fit over existing teeth, covering them completely. They look and feel exactly like a normal tooth otherwise. They’re ideal for cosmetic procedures, but they’re great at protecting and stabilizing a damaged tooth as well. If you get a dental implant, the dentist will place a crown over it to make it look and function like a normal tooth.
Veneers, on the other hand, are wafer-thin covers that attach to the front surface of a tooth. Your dentist might recommend them if you have a tooth that’s smaller than the rest, misshapen, crooked, chipped, or broken. So, you might have the option of getting just one veneer for a single tooth or getting a row of veneers to get an even, bright white appearance for a row of front teeth.
How Are Crowns vs Veneers Installed?
Crowns require some degree of preparation. Since they fit directly over the tooth, a dentist must file down the tooth enamel to make room for a crown. Then, the dentist makes an impression of the tooth and creates a mold. This mold goes to a dental laboratory that proceeds to fabricate a crown based on it. Finally, once your crown is ready, the dentist prepares the tooth’s surface to make it easier for the crown to stay attached to it, cementing it in place.
Now, let’s talk about veneers. They require minimal preparation but still require some of the same steps as crowns. The dentist shaves off a small amount of tooth enamel from the front surface to make room for the veneer, roughening it up to allow for better adhesion. Then, just like with crowns, they make an impression of your teeth and send it over to a lab. After this, the lab fabricates your veneers. Once they’re ready, the dentist calls you in for an appointment to attach the veneers to your front teeth. They use a special dental cement that hardens to secure the veneers, so they don’t come off.
Conclusion
Getting crowns or veneers doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, a qualified dentist has the tools and experience to make it a smooth experience.
At Katy Cypress Oral Surgery, we understand the concern that patients may feel about getting dental crowns and veneers. Our significant experience in oral surgery has led us to adopt the best practices for delivering the best dental care to our patients. And if you have any questions or concerns, our dedicated dental team will be happy to help. So, feel free to give us a call at (281) 667-0607, and we’d love to see you.
We look forward to scheduling your appointment with us. See firsthand the difference that a skilled, compassionate team can make.