When considering enhancing the look and health of your front teeth, you will hear a lot about two popular choices: dental crowns and veneers. While both can create a dazzling, natural smile, they are used for different purposes and involve different procedures. Keeping the difference in mind is crucial to making an informed decision that’s best for you and your unique dental needs. Let’s break down what exactly each treatment is and when one will be more of an option than the other.

What Is a Dental Veneer?

A veneer is a thin, tailor-made porcelain shell to place on the front surface of a tooth. Think of it as the new face for your tooth. Veneers are generally placed for cosmetic reasons. They’re an excellent fix for minor imperfections that can affect the appearance of your smile, such as discoloration, small chips, tight spaces between teeth, or crooked teeth. The process typically consists of removing a teeny-tiny amount of enamel on the front of the tooth, less than a millimeter, to make room for the veneer. The result is a brighter, more uniform, and attractive smile.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a cap that sits on the entire tooth, all the way down to the gum line. Its purpose is to reshape a tooth, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are a more thorough fix that is used when a tooth is extremely broken down. This includes teeth with large fillings, large cavities, cracks, or a root canal. The process involves cutting away a lot of the structure of the tooth so that the crown is snug and doesn’t appear bulky. Crowns improve the way things look and also protect and hold together a weakened tooth. This means the crown or veneer choice for your front teeth is something to think hard about.

Making the Right Choice: Crown vs. Veneer

The state of your tooth is the most important thing to keep in mind while deciding between these two procedures. A tooth that is healthy structurally but aesthetically flawed is a perfect candidate for veneers because they are less invasive. For example, if you wish to whiten a permanently discolored tooth or close up a small gap, a veneer can help you achieve an excellent result without needing to remove so much of the natural tooth.

But if your tooth is severely damaged, like a big crack, a structurally compromised tooth due to a large filling, or you’ve a root canal, a crown is the right choice. A veneer simply isn’t strong enough to provide the protection and support such teeth require to prevent breaking. The crown envelops the entire tooth, providing it with the strength it needs in order to be able to use it well for many years to come. Ultimately, the choice between dental crowns and veneers depends on whether your goal is to correct a cosmetic issue or to restore and protect a weakened tooth. For this reason, a thorough consultation with a dental professional is essential.

While both procedures are routine, the most important thing is a proper diagnosis. A study in the Journal of the American Dental Association established that a highly significant percentage of patients who had undergone crowns could have been treated with a less invasive option. This is an indicator of how much a dentist should attempt to preserve your own natural tooth structure where possible. Your dentist will guide you to the treatment that not only gives you your smile but also protects your overall oral health. When having a crown or veneer on front teeth, do not hesitate to ask questions and express all of your hopes and fears.

Choosing the ideal treatment for your front teeth can be a difficult choice. At The Smile Shapers in Ventura, we want you to feel comfortable and informed. Our dental team offers clear descriptions and personalized attention to make you look wonderful and maintain a healthy smile. Call us today to set up a consultation for your smile.