woman during the dental treatment
Differences Between Veneers And Dental Crowns
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A perfect smile is what everyone is after because it adds a delightful appeal to your face. Crooked, broken or discoloured teeth can make the onlookers turn away or feel dismayed. People with not-so-perfect smiles often suffer from low confidence and social awkwardness. The problem can keep them from building a network and collaborating with co-workers, making them miss growth opportunities. It is vital to feel good about oneself and maintain a pleasing personality for all-round development and success.

Thus, most people opt for cosmetic dentistry to restore their teeth and make them appear beautiful. It boosts their self-belief and helps them make friends easily. They win over people with charming smiles and maintain relations with the warmth exuded by their happy expressions. Veneers and crowns are the most common cosmetic dental treatments that are used for perfecting smiles. However, very few know about their purpose and use. So, here is a comparison between veneers and dental crowns. It will help you understand the treatment needed for your problem.

1. Understanding Veneers

Dental veneers are customised shells placed over the front surface of teeth to enhance their appearance. They hide the anomaly and give the tooth its natural look. They are made from different materials, ranging from composite to porcelain. They are ideal for people with chipped, discoloured, or stained teeth. Veneers are very light and do not appear like modified teeth.

Reputed dentists in Hope Island also provide this cosmetic treatment for teeth that are smaller or do not have the right shape. They are also used to cover gaps in teeth. However, dental veneers are not for those who suffer from cavities and gum problems. These require treatment based on the extent of damage and cannot be healed with cosmetic dentistry.         

2. Understanding Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are customised to cover the entire tooth with a cap to give it the perfect shape. They are recommended in cases of broken and weak teeth. Dentists also use crowns at the end of a root canal procedure to cover the drilled tooth. The crowns are made from different materials, such as resin, metal and porcelain.

The dental crown covers the tooth completely, requiring some part of the enamel to be removed to ensure a perfect fit. The cosmetic procedure is used in various dental treatments, such as offering support to hold the dental bridge or protecting a cracked tooth from cavities.   

3. Differences Between Veneers and Crowns

While both veneers and crowns are used to cover irregularities in teeth, they are different in several ways. These include:

  • Thickness and Shape

Veneers are thin with a thickness of just 1mm and are shaped like the front part of the tooth. Crowns are 2mm thick, completely fit over the tooth, and are shaped like caps.

  • Eligible Candidates

Dentists in Hope Island recommend veneers to people who have stained, cracked or misshapen teeth that are hampering their confidence levels. On the other hand, crowns are prescribed for broken and damaged teeth that have lost their original shape.

  • Cosmetic Restoration

Dental veneers are placed on the front surface, and thus, are perfect for covering incisors and canines. Conversely, crowns are made to cover the back teeth (premolars and molars).

  • Cost of Treatment

Veneers are cheaper than crowns, which are expensive and require longer prep and treatment time. A dental crown placement requires an expert dentist in Hope Island to remove some part of the natural tooth.

  • Aesthetic Appeal

Veneers are considered more aesthetically appealing because they do not show signs of a gum margin, which starts appearing after a few years of the placement of the crown. Crowns are used for the back teeth and are not visible.

  • Natural Tooth Condition

Dental crowns require significant removal of tooth enamel or scraping of the natural tooth. However, veneers can be fixed on the surface with minimal scraping and grazing of the natural tooth.

  • Risk of Decay

Since veneers cover only the front part of the teeth, the remaining part is still vulnerable to developing cavities if not cleaned thoroughly. Conversely, the chances of decay are minimal in teeth covered by a crown because they are not exposed to bacteria.

4. Benefits of Veneers and Crowns

Individuals looking forward to cosmetic dentistry to get the perfect set of teeth can benefit from these prosthetic devices. Both veneers and crowns can help improve the appearance of the individual. They repair teeth and restore their original look, which boosts self-esteem. They also help to support weak teeth and preserve them from further damage.

They are long-lasting and must be replaced only after 10 to 15 years. The protective shield provided by these devices ensures minimal wear and tear and enhances chewing. It is vital to maintain optimum oral hygiene and avoid eating hard and sticky foods like ice cubes, popcorn, hard nuts and candies.

Wrapping Up

Teeth appear attractive when they are perfectly shaped and maintain their natural shine. However, wear and tear can cause them to lose their glow and shape. Thus, dentists in Hope Island recommend using cosmetic dentistry to restore affected teeth.