When it comes to repairing a damaged smile, two of the most common restorations are dental crowns and porcelain veneers. Both addresse chipped, damaged, discolored, or widely spaced teeth, but which one is the right solution for you? This blog will compare and contrast the two types of dental restorations in an attempt to make the decision easier for you. Rest assured that if you have any questions about crowns or veneers, you can contact our dental office at (03) 9021-9487 and one of our dental professionals will be happy to help.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns fit over an entire tooth to repair damage. Crowns are usually made of porcelain, but also come in metal, zirconia, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Dental crowns repair everything from discoloration to cracked or broken teeth. They also provide a “cap” over a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment, and anchors for a dental bridge. In cases where a tooth has been lost, a crown can attach to a dental implant to restore a smile. Porcelain crowns function like natural teeth and require no special maintenance.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers bond to only the front surface of a tooth. Made from porcelain, they cover discolored teeth and hide chips, wide spaces, or imperfections in teeth. While crowns are a restorative option, veneers are more of a cosmetic treatment.
Which One Should You Choose?
Most dentists offer crowns and veneers as options to correct damaged or cosmetically flawed smiles. In fact, many will use both as part of a smile makeover procedure. Some factors, however, make one restoration preferable to the other.
- Location – Since they bond to the front surface of the tooth, veneers tend to only be used for teeth that are visible when you smile, those in the front of the mouth. All other teeth will be corrected with crowns.
- Appearance – Crowns look bulky and unnatural when placed on front teeth, while veneers are thinner and made to reflect light more naturally. so they look more like natural teeth. As the gum line recedes with age or due to disease, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can reveal a dark line at the gums where the porcelain and metal meet. For optimal esthetics on front teeth, veneers are the treatment of choice.
- Tooth structure – Placing a dental crown requires the removal of some of the tooth’s surface. Veneers require much less surface removal, making them ideal for conservative-minded patients. Removing less enamel allows the tooth to retain much of its original structure and strength. Veneers only cover the front surface of a tooth, though, so they are not sufficient for many restorative cases. Broken teeth and those suffering from severe decay have endured structural damage, so preparation for a crown isn’t really a consideration. A crown covers the entire tooth, adding structural stability.
- Durability – Properly taken care of, a crown can last 5 to 20 years. A veneer, on the other hand, lasts 20 years or longer, in most cases. When they need replacement, veneers can be replaced with new veneers or full crowns. The opposite is not true. Once a tooth is prepped for a crown, the patient cannot later replace it with a veneer.
Call Us with Any Questions
Deciding between dental crowns and porcelain veneers to restore your smile requries that you have all the facts. For answers to your questions regarding which option is right for you, call our Docklands office at (03) 9021-9487 and one of our dental professionals will be happy to help.