By As people in Washington State are taking their dental health more seriously nowadays, you must have come across two major restorative solutions: veneers and crowns. As they both appear to provide the same benefits to individuals, people often get confused and consider them to be the same thing.
However, they are two different things that share some similarities but also have two major differences between them. If you are planning to go through a restoration process, a dentist in Tukwila, WA, can be a great choice for you.
What are porcelain veneers?
Veneers are made of porcelain that has stain-resistant properties, and the layers are quite thin. Veneers are non-invasive, which definitely makes them a really good choice for those who do not want to go through a surgical process. They are custom-made according to the shape of the patient’s teeth and cover the front surface of the tooth.
To make it easier for the veneer to bond, your dentist will grind down approximately half a millimeter of the enamel on the front side of your tooth in order to make your tooth ready for a porcelain veneer. However, how much they need to grind down can differ depending on the kind of veneer. Keep in mind that veneer can only be placed on a tooth that has enough existing enamel.
What are dental crowns?
A dental crown, on the other hand, covers the entire tooth, which means that it requires more grinding to put a crown in place. Dental crowns are generally used for the restoration of teeth that are severely damaged by fractures, decay, or cracks. Dental crowns are made of several materials, such as porcelain, PFM (plastic fused to metal), or all-metal. Your dentist will cement the crown into its place after fabrication to get a secure fit over the tooth.
How are veneers and crowns different?
The major difference between crowns and veneers is how they fit over your tooth and what the reason behind their need or requirement is. A dental crown covers your whole tooth, whereas veneers only cover the front surface of your tooth. This makes the veneers more pleasing if you consider the aesthetics because less gum margin is visible. However, veneers may need to be replaced after some years, whereas crowns are a more permanent solution and may last you most of your entire life.
Which one is right for you?
Suppose you have a hard time deciding which option is more appropriate for you. In that case, you should visit a dentist and let them run some tests on your teeth, examine the condition of your affected tooth that needs to be altered, and suggest to you what is more suitable according to your needs and requirements.
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