A healthy smile and good oral hygiene can genuinely transform your personality!
Often both the terms “crowns” and “veneers” are used interchangeably. Although they look the same, yet they have structural differences. There are specific reasons why you should prefer one over another, let’s get deeper to find which one is the best.
As interesting as these two makeovers sound, veneers are the true origin of Hollywood smile. If you are a big fan of Hollywood, I bet, you must know veneers were introduced to enhance the teeth appearance of an actor. If you didn’t know already, here is the good news for you.
You can have the perfect Hollywood smile, too!
So if you are looking forward to restoring your teeth, and have the prettiest smile you have always wanted, crowns and veneers are for you. While dentist Newport Beach can help you decide which one is best for you, knowing more about each option can help to take the stress out of your choice. If you are still confused, deciding whether you should choose crowns or veneers, read on to find which one is best for you.
What are veneers and crowns?
Veneers are composed of thin porcelain shells. They are often placed on your front teeth. Sometimes they are placed on the premolars as well. The wider is your smile, the more veneers you need. If you have a wider smile, you will need 8-10 veneers, but most people need up to six veneers. To know how many veneers do you exactly need to get the complete smile makeover, consult dentist Newport Beach like F. Anthony Rich, DDS.
On the other hand, a crown protects your weak and damaged teeth. Just like a veneer, a crown enhances the overlook of a tooth. A crown is placed on your whole tooth, and it’s full coverage up to your gum allows optimal retention. If you had a root canal, a broken tooth or a large amount of decay, the crowns are perfect for a complete smile makeover.
Both crowns and veneers are shells that fit over specific teeth. These restorations are made from the same materials, and they are placed for aesthetic reasons. Veneers are just as permanent as a crown.
Before you get a crown or veneer, you will first have to get your natural tooth prepped. A crown is a dental restoration which covers the whole tooth while a veneer is a restoration which covers the only front part of the tooth. Crowns are placed for a functional reason and to protect an RCT treated tooth as well as for aesthetics. A veneer is placed often for aesthetic purposes such as fixing the shape and discoloration of teeth.
Crown and Veneer Preparation
To make room for your teeth makeover, your dentist will trim the thickness of your natural teeth. Crown usually need more preparation as compared to veneers. This is due to the reason that a crown covers the whole teeth up to gum, whereas a veneer only fits on the immediate edges of your teeth and the front.
Since it will take a couple of weeks to get your new restorations made by the lab technician, you will wear some temporaries for the time being. Crowns – A preparation for crowns typically involves trimming away 63% to 76% of the tooth’s anatomical crown (the visible portion of the tooth that lies above the gum line).
Minimal-prep porcelain veneers may require up to 3% reduction in crown structure. It requires much less tooth trimming than dental crowns. Some veneering situations may require no tooth reduction in enamel at all. The maximum trimming may involve up to 30%.
Why choose crowns?
Crowns can fix the same dental problems which can be fixed with veneers, but they go a step further to fix the function of your teeth. If you were in an accident and chipped a tooth, a crown can get the tooth to return to its normal structure. Crowns are also better options if you need to protect a tooth that recently went through a root canal. They are firm and durable. Crowns make the right choice in those situations where a tooth is exposed to heavy biting forces, or else forces created by tooth clenching and grinding (bruxism).
Crowns are often used to rebuild and strengthen teeth that are badly broken or decayed. Crown can create significant shape changes for a tooth.
Why choose veneers?
A porcelain veneer is the best option if you are concerned more about improving the aesthetics of your teeth. Veneers are the best solution for problems such as heavily stained teeth, minor cracks in teeth, chipped teeth, small gaps between the teeth, and slight misalignment. If you have any of these issues, veneers can significantly improve the overall color and uniformity in the appearance of the teeth, resulting in a much-enhanced smile.
Veneers can function for a longer time if you take care of proper oral hygiene. Porcelain veneers typically do best in situations where the forces placed upon them are relatively light or inactive.
Crowns and veneers are an investment, and it’s worth it. Once you have them, you need to take proper care of your oral hygiene to ensure they last longer. The dentist Newport Beach like F. Anthony Rich, DDS is always ready to provide the best dental services, so book your appointment today to bring your beautiful smile back.