The debate between veneers vs. crowns just seems to not end. While these two dental restorations are both essential and cost-effective, the basis on which one should you get will depend on your tooth’s health. To simplify things, veneers are used to cover the front part of the tooth while crowns are made to cover the entire tooth. Dentists typically choose the right restoration for patients according to the condition of their teeth.
Similarities Of Veneers and Crowns
Before we dig into what makes veneers and crowns different from each other, let us first identify their similarities. Both of these dental restorations are designed with the objective of improving the looks of their wearer.
They are also used to restore the functions of the damaged teeth. Moreover, there is no debate whether which one is more expensive as veneers and crowns are comparatively costly. But on the bright side, both dental restorations have impeccable success rates.
All About Veneers
Veneers are very popular in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Its main goal is to improve the smile that’s impacted by a damaged tooth. Typically, veneers are the go-to solution for people with teeth gaps, chipped teeth, and misshaped teeth.
This dental restoration is made of porcelain or composite resin materials. Porcelain veneers are individually attached to the front part of the teeth to cover their imperfections. They are not as thick as crowns, as a matter of fact, they are just as half as thick as dental crowns which are about 2 mm in thickness. Check out this post learn about how veneers cost in Australia.
Veneers are used to restore teeth that are:
- Heavily stained- If stains are the issue, dentists commonly suggest professional dental whitening first, but if the procedure did not work out, then veneers may be recommended as a solution.
- Worn teeth- Small chips or minimally worn down tooth can also be restored by porcelain veneers as it hides the flaws perfectly.
- Misshapen teeth- For whatever reason, our teeth have the tendency to be crooked or misshapen. Patients prefer to have veneers to cover this problem in their teeth.
- Teeth gap- Gaps in the teeth could potentially cause issues with one’s confidence. This is often resolved by closing the gap through veneers.
Porcelain Veneers and Composite Resin
Porcelain veneers are thin shell-like materials that are designed to fit in the tooth perfectly. The benefits of porcelain veneers could include the following:
- Durable and long-lasting. With proper care and cleaning, veneers could last for up to 15 years.
- Natural-looking. It will definitely make your smile better by making your teeth look all-natural.
- Lesser enamel will be removed. In comparison to dental crowns, dentists don’t need to remove too much enamel from the teeth, hence, leaving more protection to the natural teeth.
- Does not stain. One of the best things about veneers is that they do not easily stain. This means that you can eat any food or drink that you like without worrying about having stains on your teeth.
Composite resin veneers have their own advantages as well, this include:
- Does not need plenty of dental visits.
- Cheaper than porcelain.
- Can be fixed easily if damaged.
Drawbacks of Veneers
While veneers pose many advantages, they could also have some drawbacks just like other dental restorations. If you are planning to get veneers, you might want to consider the following first:
- It is quite expensive.
- Might need a mouthguard for protection.
- The procedure is irreversible.
- Needs maintenance.
- Risk of getting fractured.
Understanding Dental Crowns
Now that you know everything that needs to be known about veneers, let’s move on to the fundamentals of dental crowns.
Crowns can be made of porcelain as well as porcelain fused with metal alloy, ceramic, or a full metal alloy. Speaking of metal, visit Star Sheetmetal for a steel fabrication in Melbourne for your project.
If you are a candidate for dental crowns, your dentist will most probably consider the condition of the following prior to the procedure:
- the location of the tooth
- how visible will it be when you smile
- the condition of the gum tissue
- functions of the tooth that needs restoration
- the remaining natural tooth
- color of the natural teeth
This is to ensure that the crowns will match with your teeth and that they would look as natural as possible. At this clinic in Double Bay, the dentists always recommend crowns to patients with severely worn down teeth, cracked, and weak teeth.
Advantages
Dental crowns may be expensive, but one thing that makes this restoration stand out is its adequacy when it comes to fixing dental problems. Here are the best things that a dental crown can offer:
- provide support to a tooth that’s been severely damaged by decay
- give protection to a worn away tooth and prevent the condition from getting worse
- protect the tooth that underwent root canal procedure
- keep a cracked tooth together and prevent it from breaking thoroughly
- improve the smile of its wearer
In addition to these advantages, dental crowns could withstand chewing and biting forces. Just like veneers, they could last for up to 15 years given that they were taken care of.
Cons
Sadly, crowns have their own cons as well, this could include:
- Expensive procedures
- Does not provide protection against gum disease
- An incorrectly placed crown can cause tooth decay
- There is a tendency for it to fall out
- It is irreversible
- Risk of tooth sensitivity
- Gum recession
- Teeth need to be filed
- Small cracks could occur in the future
If you have more concerns regarding crows and veneers, it would be best to personally consult your dentist. After all, he will determine the best option for you according to the condition of your teeth. With the right restoration, your smile will be even brighter than it already is.