Dental crowns and porcelain veneers are two dental solutions that seem very similar, but are actually very different. As your local dentist office in Towson, MD, we are here to answer any and all questions you might have related to dentistry. Here is some additional information on the differences between dental crowns and porcelain veneers:
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are typically used to address cosmetic dental concerns. They are great for concealing minor blemishes on your dental structures such as gaps, chips, cracks, or stains. Anything that is taking away from your smile’s best aesthetics can be concealed with a porcelain veneer. Designed to be a ceramic shell that covers the front-facing portion of your tooth, a porcelain veneer essentially replaces your natural tooth’s aesthetics while allowing you to maintain most of your natural tooth behind it. This means no tooth extractions and no significant enamel removal. Porcelain veneers are very thin, and do not require an invasive procedure to attach them to your tooth. However, patients should keep in mind that some dental damages which affect the functionality of their natural teeth may require more intensive treatment.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are typically used to address dental concerns which are affecting the functionality of your natural tooth. When a chip or crack is too significant to be repaired with a veneer or other cosmetic solution, a dental crown may be recommended. The dental crown is a prosthetic tooth designed to fit like a cap over the foundational core of your natural tooth. This means that the affected tooth will be shaved down to its foundational core and will require significant enamel removal to make space for the crown. While this procedure is more invasive than that of a veneer, dental crowns allow patients to fix a broken tooth without the need for a complete tooth extraction. The dental crown replaces the entire exterior of the tooth, rather than just the front facing portion like a veneer. Once complete, patients can utilize and care for a dental crown just as they would a fully restored natural tooth.
Schedule An Appointment
Are you looking for a cosmetic or restorative dentist in Towson, MD? Do you suspect you might need a dental crown or are you interested in making over your smile using porcelain veneers? We hope you will consider visiting our Towson, MD dentist office. Please schedule an appointment online, and we look forward to seeing you soon.