If you have a damaged or chipped tooth, you may be wondering if a veneer or a crown is the better option for restoring your smile. But the answer is more complicated than you might think.
Basically, there’s no “best” option. Veneers and crowns are very different treatments, even though they can address some of the same issues. Your Escondido dentists at Lifetime Smiles will discuss the basics about each one, and what they’re intended to treat.
Veneers Are A Cosmetic Treatment Meant To Correct Flaws In Your Smile
Veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are sculpted to look just like your natural teeth. They are built to fit perfectly over existing teeth, covering the front surfaces to treat cosmetic imperfections.
Because of this, veneers are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of cosmetic issues, including:
- Gaps between the teeth
- Severely stained teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Uneven teeth
- Minor tooth chips
However, it is important to remember that veneers are only a cosmetic treatment. They are not intended to be used to treat serious oral health issues. While veneers can be used for very minor cosmetic chips in the teeth, they are not suitable for treating unhealthy or seriously damaged teeth.
That’s where dental crowns come in.
Dental Crowns Are A Restorative Treatment For Broken Down Teeth
Similarly to veneers, dental crowns are built to look and feel just like natural teeth. They can be used for cosmetic purposes in smile makeovers and restorations when veneers or dental bonding is not the most suitable treatment. Both treatments are used to cover and protect your teeth, either because of damage or cosmetic imperfection.
However, while a veneer only requires the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel, crowns restore and protect a larger amount of tooth structure. . This is because the crown covers your entire tooth structure down to your gum line on all sides, protecting it from further damage.
This makes crowns particularly useful in restorative treatment, including:
- Severely decayed teeth
- Infected teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy
- Teeth that have been severely cracked, chipped, or damaged by oral trauma and injuries
Still Not Sure If You Need A Crown Or A Veneer? Contact Lifetime Smiles Today!
At Lifetime Smiles, Dr. Christo Mallakis or Dr. Rabee McDonald will discuss the differences between veneers and crowns in more detail, and help you understand which treatment might be right for your situation. Call us at (760) 747-1811 or contact us online to schedule an appointment in Escondido today.
