You have tooth damage or wear and need to cover one or more teeth. Which treatment should you choose? Do you need a dental crown to cover your tooth fully, or should you get porcelain veneers to cover the front of your tooth? While dental crowns and veneers may seem similar, they can offer different benefits depending on the patient’s needs. We offer dental crowns and porcelain veneers in our Arlington Heights, IL, dental office to help patients restore the look or function of teeth.
DENTAL CROWNS VS. PORCELAIN VENEERS IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
Cosmetic and restorative dental treatments can improve your teeth. Learn the specifics of what dental crowns and porcelain veneers can specifically do for your smile:
DENTAL CROWNS
Crowns are dental restorations that act like caps to cover single teeth fully. Dental crowns can change the shape and shade of teeth. Crowns can also be used to cover single dental implants or secure dental bridges with crown-capped teeth adjacent to a tooth gap.
Dental crowns can be made of different materials:
- Gold
- Amalgamated metal (tin, copper, aluminum)
- Porcelain
- Porcelain fused to metal
We often recommend porcelain crowns over traditional metal crowns. While metal crowns typically cover the molars in the back of the mouth, they can still be visible when smiling. Metal crowns can add durability to the smile, but crowns made of porcelain have durability and improve the smile’s aesthetics.
While it can take weeks to receive crowns from most dental offices, Dr. Engelberg can provide same-day dental crowns. Dr. Engelberg uses CEREC technology to get an accurate impression of the teeth and then uses this image of the teeth to mill custom crowns.
PORCELAIN VENEERS
Dental veneers are shell-like treatments that improve the aesthetics of the smile. Unlike crowns, veneers only cover the front of each tooth and do not fully encompass a tooth. Dental veneers are typically made out of porcelain materials because they can blend in with the appearance of natural teeth.
Unlike dental crowns, veneers are not meant to restore the function of teeth. While dental veneers can address problems like crooked teeth, they are meant to straighten or brighten the smile’s appearance. Veneers are durable like crowns, and offer stain resistance, which is why they are great options for patients who have discolored teeth. Dental veneers can cover all the teeth that show when smiling, offering a great alternative to orthodontics or whitening treatments for patients with slightly crooked teeth or deep tooth stains.
If you are still unsure whether crowns or veneers are right for you, schedule a dental consultation with our office. You may also call AH Smiles for treatment at (847) 230-9703. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have about cosmetic and restorative treatments, including crowns and veneers.