Dental crowns and porcelain veneers are two techniques that can considerably improve your smile. Whether one or the other is used to enhance your smile, no one will know you have had any work done on your teeth. What will definitely change is your self-confidence.
In many ways, dental crowns and porcelain veneers have similar identical results (aesthetically speaking). However, they are structurally different. Depending on the patient’s overall situation, the dentist will take several factors into account when selecting which one of the 2 techniques he will be using.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are composed of thin ceramic layers that essentially replace the outer layer of tooth enamel. A veneer will be attached to the outer surface of the tooth. Natural tooth structure must first be reduced by a minimal amount, approximately (0.25 – 1 mm) of tooth enamel. This will allow some space for the veneer to restore natural tooth form, enhancing brilliance. Porcelain veneers are a great solution for many imperfections such as:
- Poor color
- Tooth shape or contours
- Fractured teeth
- Tooth position
- Superficial stains in teeth that cannot be whitened
Dental Crowns
A crown mainly replaces the enamel cap of a tooth. In other words, it replaces the entire external form of a tooth, down to the gum level. Crowning your teeth will bring back their natural form. It can also improve teeth that have been worn down due to grinding or enamel erosion. Crowns are also great for adjusting teeth’ color and shape and giving more structure and strength to the teeth.
Crowns are mainly used to cover the root canal-treated teeth to give them strength and resistance.
The main difference between dental veneers and dental crowns
What constitutes the main difference between porcelain veneers and dental crowns, is the amount of natural tooth structure that needs to be replaced. In general, a crown needs thicker porcelain – i.e. at least (1.5-2) millimeters (mm) of tooth structure thickness is needed to place the dental crown that’s why it is preferred for root canal-treated teeth or broken and worn down teeth.
Talk to your dentist and take your time to get all the information needed before going through the procedure.
For effective oral care products, we recommend the Elgydium products
