What's The Difference Between Veneers And Crowns? | Dr. Alex Midtown NYC Cosmetic Dentist

What’s The Difference Between Veneers And Crowns?

Veneers and dental crowns are both popular treatments among patients, as each will beautify your smile and oral appearance. And while there are similarities between the two, each treatment is distinct with its own goals and benefits.

What Are Dental Veneers?

The dental veneer is a shell which is thin in appearance and positioned over the teeth so that they are protected from damage. It will also correct any imperfections which are present. Veneers will usually consist of materials such as composite and porcelain.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown consists of a cap which is tooth shaped and which is positioned over a tooth to alter its appearance. In addition to enhancing tooth strength, it will also restore teeth that have been repaired back to their former shape and size. Dental crowns which are permanent will usually be pre-fabricated and are cemented in a way where they encapsulate the whole tooth. Crowns are prescribed by dentists in situations where teeth are fractured or broken and require restoration, or simply for aesthetic benefit. They can also be applied to teeth which are decayed or which have fillings that are fractured or defective. Dental crowns are made from a number of different materials, which includes resin, gold, or stainless steel.

How Do Veneers And Crowns Differ?

While veneers and crowns both serve as tooth coverings, the crown will fit over your teeth snugly, while a porcelain veneer will conceal the tooth’s front surface. The functions they perform are also different. For instance, veneers are typically utilized to restore the tooth’s outward appearance, either due to it being misaligned or misshapen. In other words, dental veneers are primarily used for cosmetic purposes rather than the treatment of a specific condition.

Dental crowns, by contrast, are used by dentists in situations where teeth have structural problems. They are the best solution for patients who have suffered either trauma to their teeth or decay. Crowns are also highly effective for those who need to have their teeth restored as a consequence of excessive chewing or grinding. Veneers are better for those who have robust teeth, but who desire a more pleasant oral appearance by concealing teeth that are chipped, cracked or discolored.

Veneers and crowns each play a role in oral health and enhancement. The greatest benefit of getting them is that after they have been implanted they will appear and feel just like regular teeth. The importance of oral health cannot be overstated, as a number of medical reports and journals have confirmed that poor dental health is a gateway to other, more serious health problems. Damage to teeth and gums will come in two forms, and this is blunt force trauma and decay resulting from bacteria. In order to maintain optimal dental health over the course of one’s life it is important to guard against both, and veneers and crowns are two methods for accomplishing this.

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