Veneers and crowns are two popular dental treatments to restore your smile. They both act as coverings to the tooth to improve its appearance and function.
If you have a cracked, weakened, pitted, or misshapen tooth, you may be wondering which cosmetic dentistry option would be right for you: veneers or crowns? A skilled dentist can recommend the better option for you, because everyone is different and has different needs and preferences.
Let’s talk about the differences between dental veneers and crowns, and where you can go in Eugene for outstanding dental care for your whole family.
Dental Veneers vs. Crowns
Veneers and crowns vary on how much of the tooth needs to be removed, how thick the material of the covering is, and how much of the problematic tooth is covered.
A crown is essentially a prosthetic tooth, whereas a veneer is a porcelain covering over the existing tooth.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are made of porcelain and are bonded to the front of the tooth and around the edge. Since they are bonded to the front, only a thin amount of the original tooth needs to be filed down in order to make room for the veneer. Once the tooth is filed down, the dentist makes a mold of the tooth, and this mold is used to craft the porcelain veneer for that tooth – each one is created individually in the lab.
Tooth veneers are made of very thin material, which makes them somewhat vulnerable. Veneers can crack and become dislodged if they endure harsh treatment or impact, and they may need to be replaced in the future.
Veneers are a better choice if the dental issues you want to fix are minor, such as discoloration, minor cracks, small gaps, superficial pitting, and minimal misalignment.
How Are Dental Crowns Different?
On the other hand, a dental crown covers or replaces the entire tooth and can be made of porcelain, metal, resin, or a combination. Dental crowns are much larger and thicker than veneers, which makes them more durable. However, they require a lot more of the tooth to be removed before they are fastened into the mouth; in fact, crowns are often placed atop a dental implant, which is a placeholder for a missing tooth.
Dental crowns are a better choice if the dental issues are more complex. Badly damaged teeth that are weak or have undergone root canal therapy need dental crowns. This treatment can protect the already-weakened tooth structure.
Dental Crowns and Veneers in Eugene, OR
If you are interested in finding out the best restorative dentistry procedures that can fix your dental issues, Dr. Ari Binder of 360 Dental can provide you with the best solution. Dr. Binder’s expertise includes restorative dental procedures, expertly fixing discolored, damaged, diseased, misaligned, and missing teeth.
Our friendly dental team will create a smile that you can be proud of. You will enjoy your dental experience in our relaxing and well-appointed dental clinic in Eugene.
If you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Binder, call us today at (541) 689-1645 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you smile with confidence again!