Dental Veneers vs. Crowns Pros and Cons
Healthy natural teeth are strong. However, accidents may happen, tooth decay may be inevitable, so you may have to repair your teeth at some point in your life. Crowns and veneers are two popular options worth considering for teeth restoration. You can find both procedures at Town Dental Clinic in Chaska.
Why Restore Teeth
Restorative dentistry aims to strengthen teeth that lack specific natural structures. Restoring a tooth also means improving its appearance. Tooth decay, stains, and cracks are all reasons why teeth may need to be adjusted or covered.
Both crowns and veneers can solve this type of problem. They are not the same thing, but they have two distinct functions. One is more for structural and protection, while the other is aesthetic.
If you have a damaged tooth, you need a long-lasting solution. You want to know which is better for the long term, between dental veneers vs. crowns.
What are Dental Crowns?
Crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth and replace the outer layer of enamel. Finally, the crown is made into a solid piece outside the mouth and placed on the prepared tooth. The whole process may take several weeks.
Crowns repair cavities, fractures, and improve teeth’ appearance and seal teeth with root canals. In addition, crowns fix dental bridges and complete dental implants near me.
You may experience tooth sensitivity a few days after getting the crown. During this period, you need to avoid extremely cold or hot food. It is also recommended not to chew the crown for a few days after the set cement.
Crowns structurally help damaged, cracked, or decayed teeth function. Your dentist customizes the shades of porcelain/ceramics to blend with your overall smile. When you need a dental restoration, your appearance won’t be compromised.
Pros of Crowns
- From all angles, it is more similar to natural teeth appearance than veneers.
- It is ideal for severe dental health problems and aesthetic damage, such as cracks or breaks.
- It protects the entire natural tooth from further damage and decay.
- More durable option than veneers.
Cons of Crowns
- It’s a more invasive procedure than getting crowns.
- Teeth may get damaged due to extensive filing.
- Crowns may be noticeable on the gumline after some time.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain layers glued to the front surface of the teeth and edges to cover discoloration or correct irregular chips. Porcelain veneers can also effectively fill small gaps between teeth, protect broken teeth, or correct misalignment.
Dental veneers in Chaska are customized for everyone, so it is almost impossible to detect from adjacent natural teeth. An exciting feature of veneers is that they don’t easily stain due to their porcelain composition but still have elasticity and strength.
Unlike dental crowns, veneers are considered a conservative solution for smile damage because original teeth are not compromised. When getting dental veneers near you, only a thin layer of enamel is removed to allow the porcelain veneer to fit the remaining enamel.
A special gel is then applied to the surface of the teeth to allow the veneer to stick on the tooth enamel. Then, using a special light, your dentist in Chaska hardens the gel into place, creating a solid bond between the tooth and the veneer.
Pros of Veneers
- Compared with dental crowns, less filling of the tooth is removed.
- Filings cause minimal tooth damage to initially healthy teeth.
- Perfect for solving minor problems, such as irregular tooth shape, crooked smiles, and uneven tooth size.
- Unlike crowns, the procedure is less invasive.
Cons of Veneers
- The back and sides of the tooth are left exposed to tooth decay.
- Not as durable as crowns.
- Not ideal when repairing severely damaged teeth or critical dental issues.
- The procedure is irreversible.
A complete smile makeover is one of the best ways to improve your appearance and confidence. If you want to improve your smile, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced dentist near you for help.
Do you have a tooth that needs restoration? Our team at Town Dental – Chaska, has extensive expertise to help you determine whether dental veneers or crowns are best for your unique situation—plan for an appointment today.