What is the Difference Between Dental Veneers and Crowns?
The good news: these days there are a wide variety of options to help you get the smile you want. The bad news: these days there are a wide variety of options. How do you choose which one to go with?
Two popular options are veneers and crowns, but what is the difference between the two?
In short: a veneer covers the front of a tooth and is primarily for cosmetic reasons, while a crown covers the entire tooth and is commonly used when a tooth is extremely decayed and weakened or broken or partially missing.
South Town Dental is here to help demystify these two smile enhancement options.
What Is a Veneer?
You know those beautiful perfect white smiles you see on celebrities and others with facetime in front of a camera? Most of those are veneers. Veneers are usually made from porcelain and are like a shell that is glued to the front of your tooth.
Veneers can be quite costly and, because they are primarily cosmetic, are usually not covered by insurance, but the benefit-cost ratio can make it a great investment for many people.
The Benefits of Veneers
There is more to veneers than just giving you nice teeth and a lovely smile. The application of veneers can:
- Cover chipped, cracked, broken, crooked, or discolored teeth
- Reduce gaps between teeth
- Make teeth stronger
There are also psychological effects, such as:
- Increased happiness
- Boost in confidence
- Higher self-esteem
Veneers Bring Smiles, Smiles Bring Better Health
If you don’t like to smile because you are worried about or embarrassed by your teeth, then you are missing out on some tremendous health benefits. Did you know that a smile can:
- Release endorphins to elevate mood?
- Lower blood pressure?
- Relieve stress?
- Boost immune system?
- Alleviate pain?
What Is a Dental Crown?
Crowns are sometimes referred to as “caps.” Crowns are commonly made from:
- Porcelain
- Metal
- Zirconia
- Ceramic
- Composite resin
- A combination of materials
If the crown will show, your dentist will usually suggest and use a crown that matches the color of the surrounding teeth. If the crown is needed for a back tooth that will not show, metal is a good option as it is less expensive.
What is a “Same Day Crown”?
Dentists can now make and fit a crown in a single visit using an intraoral camera and a CEREC (Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics) machine. Same-day crowns are great timesavers and fit quite comfortably; no temporary crowns or follow-up visits needed. A downside is that the ceramic is not as durable as porcelain, but ceramic same-day crowns still last for years and years.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
When you have a tooth that is weakened, you know how difficult it can be to eat or chew your food adequately. A tooth that has chipped or broken can be a source of irritation that can even lead to infection.
Crowns can take care of all of that and more. The advantages of getting a crown are:
- Protecting a tooth that has decayed significantly.
- Protecting surrounding teeth.
- Covering a dental implant to protect against damage.
Your Contact for Crowns and More
South Temple Dental in Salt Lake City is your source for cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, and so much more. Contact us today to set up your appointment for quality expert dental care.
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