Veneers aren’t the same as tooth implants or crowns. Veneers cover the front surface of the tooth. Implants, on the other hand, replace the entire tooth. Crowns also encase the entire tooth, while veneers only cover the front surface of the tooth (which is visible with a smile).
So how do you know which is the better option for you veneers or crown, dental implants?
The short answer is this:
If you have missing teeth, dental implants are the way to go. In this case a titanium post is screwed into the jawbone, below the area of the missing tooth. Then, a titanium abutment is screwed onto the post. Lastly, a ceramic crown (the piece that looks and acts like the missing tooth) is then cemented onto the abutment.
If you have healthy teeth that need to be fixed cosmetically, there are two ways: veneers or crown. Let’s talk about their differences. Both crowns and veneers are forms of dental restoration. They work by adding a covering to an existing tooth to improve its appearance or function. The main difference between a veneer and a crown is how much of the original tooth is removed, how thick the material covering the tooth is, and how much of the tooth is covered.
Veneers are thin porcelain layers that are bonded to the front of a tooth and along the biting edge to cover discoloration or to correct irregular contours or chips. Veneers are also effective in filling small gaps between teeth, covering broken teeth, or correcting position issues that might cause problems with a natural bite. Unlike crowns, veneers are considered a conservative solution to a compromised smile because almost all of the original tooth is left intact. Professional dentist will usually just remove a thin layer of tooth enamel from the front of the tooth and will not normally need to touch the core or the back of the tooth. Crowns require between 60% and 75% of the existing visible tooth to be trimmed away before the crown is placed.
Crowns are considered a more aggressive solution to compromised teeth because of the degree of damage to the tooth. Unlike veneers that are thin porcelain layers that cover the front of the tooth and the biting edge, a crown is fabricated of thicker porcelain and completely covers the entire tooth right down to the gum line.
Crowns are typically needed instead of veneers when there’re more fundamental issues with existing teeth. For example, most of the original tooth structure has been destroyed by decay and only a reconstruction of the tooth will suffice. Crowns are a better choice than veneers when the edge of the tooth has been damaged by grinding. A veneer only covers the front of a tooth, not the edges.
Each case is individual and professional advice is always necessary. A dentist can take X-rays to evaluate your teeth’s health, look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease or the need for root canals. You always have an option of a free consultation with the professional team at Advanced Dental Center, PC and discuss which options are right for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (203) 364-5084 or by completing this form.
Teeth that have significant damage, a large filling or a root canal are best suited for a crown. Veneers tend to be preferred for more cosmetic applications. Most people find that veneers are more attractive than crowns. Unlike crowns, the underlying tooth is mostly intact. This makes those with veneers more susceptible to tooth decay.