If you need a way to restore the look and health of your teeth, your dentist can offer a few methods of accomplishing your smile goals. Two of these options involve securing ceramic or porcelain fixtures to the affected teeth: dental crowns and porcelain veneers.
Both of these treatments attach caps to teeth to improve both appearance and structure of your smile. But they vary when it comes to their designated purpose. Schedule a consult with your Washington, DC dentist to learn which option will work best with your unique smile. Continue reading to find similarities and differences between these two dental fixtures and their procedures.
Restoring Tooth Structure with Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a ceramic cap that will cover an entire tooth, sealing into place with dental cement. It is a restorative dental treatment, meaning a dentist employs it to reshape damaged dental structures and prevent further harm to a tooth.
The procedure involves shaving away a small amount of the tooth’s enamel to make room for this cap. Then when the custom-made crown is ready, the dentist places it over the tooth for long-lasting restoration and protection. The crown replaces the lost enamel and creates a seal over the tooth that keeps it safe from plaque and bacteria.
Though known for its restorative properties, a dental crown can enhance the look of a tooth as well. It is custom-built for each patient to ensure a comfortable and natural-looking finish. The dentist can then factor in the patient’s aesthetic smile goals too when making this fixture.
The crown can make the tooth appear brighter, covering stubborn stains. It can also amend irregular shaping in the tooth and breakage. Talk to your dentist to learn how this versatile treatment can help your oral health.
Enhancing Smile Appearance with Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another type of dental fixture which resemble shells that attach to the front part of the tooth and seal into place using bonding material. They are cosmetic dental tools, meaning dentists use them for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of the patient’s smile primarily.
This procedure involves etching into the tooth’s enamel to allow for better adherence of the fixtures. Then the dentist secures custom-made veneers to the front of the teeth with bonding, which provides firm and durable cosmetic benefits.
Like a dental crown, the veneers can endure the everyday wear and tear of biting and chewing without issue. But be careful when biting hard items with both of these types of fixtures. If either a crown or a veneer feels loose or broken, call your dentist right away. The underlying tooth might be exposed to dental dangers.
Porcelain veneers are made to enhance the aesthetics of your smile, but they can assist with your oral health too. The veneers can cover weak enamel on this specific part of the tooth and create a protective seal there as a crown can. Ask your dentist how veneers can help your unique smile.