Dental crowns or veneers, which option is best for you?
Whenever a tooth or several teeth become cracked, chipped, damaged, or discolored, several cosmetic dental treatments can help restore your smile quickly and effectively. Crowns and veneers are two of the most common cosmetic dental procedures used to restore the aesthetics of natural teeth. This article explains which option may be the best fit for you.
Definition of Dental Crown and Veneer
A dental crown, also known as a dental cap, is a type of dental restoration that completely caps or encircles a tooth or the metal frame that will be placed on a dental implant. The crown restores the tooth's shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Veneers, on the other hand, are thin, custom-made shells or layers made of a unique material - commonly composite or porcelain - placed over a tooth to improve the aesthetics of a smile and protect the tooth's surface from damage.
Both dental crowns and veneers can achieve excellent results, but they are often confused with each other. These dental treatments are very different procedures with different applications.
Differences Between a Dental Crown and a Veneer
Veneers
Veneers are typically used to address issues such as chipped or broken teeth, intrinsic discoloration that won't respond to tooth whitening, and misalignment or gaps between teeth. For a veneer, your dentist at Meza will remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth - just enough to be able to place it. Meza's in-house world-class laboratory will manufacture a custom permanent veneer tailored to your physical features.
The time it takes to prepare your custom veneer depends on how many teeth will be covered. The lab can take approximately 10 business days to prepare the veneers for a full mouth restoration; however, a single-tooth veneer may take as little as 1 business day. The recovery period for veneer treatment is minimal to none.
Here are some of the most common situations for using Veneers:
To restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discolored
To restore multiple teeth for a full smile makeover
To close gaps between teeth
To improve the appearance of teeth when they have worn edges or appear crooked
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and embark on your transformative journey!
Crowns
A dental crown fits over your entire tooth, right down to your gum line. It replaces the natural tooth's outer surface and masks decay, cracks, or chips. A crown may be better than a veneer when the tooth is damaged, for example, teeth that are severely cracked or largely chipped, causing ongoing pain, or where a root canal treatment has already occurred. In such cases, a crown will be used to preserve the tooth and prevent further damage that could otherwise necessitate extraction.
Here are some uses for Dental Crowns:
To protect a tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
To protect a tooth after a root canal treatment
To restore a broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't much tooth left
To hold a dental bridge in place
To cover severely discolored or crooked teeth
To be placed on top of a dental implant
If you're considering cosmetic treatment in Costa Rica, such as crowns or veneers, consult with one of our experienced dentists at Meza Dental. We offer a full range of cosmetic dentistry options. Contact us for a free estimate, and we'll formulate a treatment plan that's just right for you.
