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Difference Between Dental Veneers and Dental Crowns
Dental care is an important part of maintaining your overall health and appearance. When it comes to dental treatments, there are many different options available to you depending on your particular needs.
Two popular services that dentists offer are dental veneers and dental crowns. Although they may seem similar, there are actually some very important differences between the two.
What are Dental Veneers and Crowns?
Veneers:
They are thin tooth-shaped shells that cover the surface of teeth to improve their color, shape, or size. They can be used to address issues like discoloration, gaps between teeth, chipped or worn edges, and minor misalignments.
Dental Veneers offers an aesthetically pleasing result with a natural-looking finish that’s highly resistant to staining. They also require minimal preparation on the part of your dentist before they are applied.
Crowns:
Dental crowns are one of the most common treatments used in dentistry. Crowns also referred to as caps, are protective coverings that fit over a damaged or decayed tooth. They are usually made from porcelain or metal materials and can be matched to the color of your natural teeth to give you a beautiful smile.
Crowns improve the shape, strength, and appearance of a tooth, making them one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments available. They can be used for restoring a single tooth or multiple teeth when needed.
The Differences and Similarities
Placement:
When it comes to veneers, one of the most noticeable differences between them and crowns is the placement. These are thin pieces that are bonded to the surface of your tooth in order to improve its appearance. In comparison, a dental crown is a restoration that completely covers a damaged tooth.
In terms of placement, they are applied directly onto the surface of your teeth while crowns cover up the entire visible part of a tooth above the gum line. This makes it easier for dentists to place and match them with your existing teeth.
Material:
These are two of the most common methods used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of a smile. Patients considering either treatment should understand the fundamental differences between them.
One of the most noticeable differences between them is material. Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or resin composite, while crowns are custom-made restorations made from porcelain, ceramic, metals such as gold, or a combination of these materials.
Cost Expenditure:
Veneers usually require less time and cost significantly less than crowns to install. A single dental veneer can cost a little less per tooth depending on how extensive the treatment is. This can range from simple bonding procedures to full porcelain veneers that involve more elaborate preparation processes.
On the other hand, crowns typically require more time and money for installation since they often need to be custom-built in a laboratory first, which can take up to two weeks or longer in some cases.
Maintenance:
The main difference between them is the level of maintenance required after the treatment. Because veneers only cover part of the tooth, routine dental visits such as cleanings and checkups suffice to maintain them.
In contrast, crowns require more frequent checkups since they have to be monitored for fit and wear over time. Furthermore, It’s also important to monitor any changes in the bite or jaw alignment that may occur due to crown placement.
Benefits:
They offer several advantages for those looking to improve their smiles without undergoing major dental work. Since they only cover the front surfaces of teeth, less enamel is removed from teeth when compared to crowns, making them a more conservative approach to cosmetic dentistry.
Additionally, due to their thinner design, veneers can be customized and matched perfectly with natural tooth color and shade while offering an improved look that lasts up to 10 years or longer with proper care.
Conclusion
The decision between getting dental veneers or crowns is ultimately up to you. They are great for those who have minor chipping, staining, and discoloration that don’t need any major structural changes.
Crowns, on the other hand, are more suitable for teeth that need more intensive restoration. Therefore, it’s important to consult with your dentist to make sure you get the best treatment plan for your teeth.
