Dental crowns and dental veneers are both established, reliable methods for restoring your smile, offering both protection and enhancement for your teeth. However, there are some significant differences between these two treatment options, and the best choice for you depends on your situation. The skilled and professional dentists at AH Smiles offer personalized care in Arlington Heights, IL to help their patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles.
Veneers Are Good For Addressing Minor Cosmetic Issues
Dental veneers are thin porcelain coverings that are attached to the front of the affected teeth with composite bonding. Veneers can be used to alter the color, shape, and spacing of your teeth and can even eliminate gaps between your teeth, lengthen small or misshapen teeth or whiten stained teeth. Perhaps your teeth are chipped or are showing signs of wear and tear? Porcelain veneers can refresh their appearance in a way that looks and feels natural while also protecting them from further damage.
Veneers are a more conservative treatment, requiring less of the natural tooth to be altered prior to treatment. Usually, only a thin layer of tooth enamel must be removed from the front of the tooth. This is necessary so that the veneer fits in your mouth without changing the appearance of your teeth and the shape of your mouth. This fact makes veneers good for resolving aesthetic issues such as discoloration and crooked teeth.
Dental Crowns Are Better For Advanced Tooth Restoration
Dental crowns are prosthetic teeth, modeled after the patient’s natural teeth, that fit over the top of a damaged tooth to protect the sensitive tissue inside. The damaged tooth is prepared by having the enamel removed and sometimes the structure reinforced. Then, the crown is cemented on top, securing the crown to the damaged tooth while also preventing it from further degradation.
Dental crowns are made of extremely durable materials such as porcelain, resin, or a composite material that is strong enough to handle the task of chewing. Once a crown has been cemented to the top of the tooth, it is now part of the tooth.
Crowns require significant tooth preparation, making them a better option for a tooth that is severely damaged. A crown may be necessary after a root canal, a broken tooth, or a tooth that has severely decayed.
Maintaining Crowns vs. Veneers
Dental veneers can last up to 10 years with proper care and cautious use. Although they are strong and securely bonded to your natural teeth, they are brittle and can only last so long. However, dental crowns are still subject to natural wear and tear, can break if you’re not careful and have a similar lifespan.
Maintaining a healthy oral hygiene regimen that includes regular check-ups with your AH Smiles dentist will help keep your restorations — no matter which one you have — intact and functional for as long as possible. However, both crowns and veneers have the benefit of not requiring extra care beyond regular brushing and flossing to keep the remaining natural teeth and gum tissue healthy.
Dental Restoration Consultation in Arlington Heights, IL
AH Smiles in Arlington Heights, IL offers consultations to discuss your dental concerns and create a personalized treatment plan for you. We look forward to helping you meet your dental goals so you can enjoy the lifelong benefits of good oral health. To schedule your appointment, request an appointment online or call our office at (847) 230-9703.