If you have concerns about the health or appearance of your teeth, you know you should consult with your dentist. They will evaluate your smile and develop an individualized treatment plan that will suit your unique needs and goals. Restorative dental tools can rebuild the shape of a tooth and protect it. Cosmetic dental solutions focus on improving the way that a tooth appears.
Both dental crowns and porcelain veneers involve caps that cover your teeth. But these treatments serve varying purposes despite their similar approach. Read on to learn more about these two dental fixtures and the similarities and differences between them.
Restoring Tooth Structure with Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a ceramic cap that a dentist constructs on an individualized basis for their patients. This cap fits over a tooth, rebuilding its structure and offering protection after it has sustained damage.
The dentist will remove a minute amount of enamel from the tooth to make room for this cap. They seal it into place using dental cement. The durable ceramic material and strong seal ensure long-lasting restorative benefits for the tooth. With proper care, the crown will stay in place for fifteen years or more.
This dental fixture will replace weakened enamel, allowing your tooth to function as normal again. But it can also have cosmetic benefits. Dentists can factor in your aesthetic goals when making the crown so that it can enhance the appearance of your tooth too.
It can cover severe discoloration and make the tooth appear brighter. It will also resist stains so that it can continue to look its best while also shielding the tooth from further harm. Talk to your dentist about the many advantages a dental crown can offer for your vulnerable smile.
Enhancing Smile Appearance with Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers refer to cap-like shells that a dentist will attach to the front of a patient’s teeth to enhance their smile’s appearance. These cosmetic tools are made on a personalized basis like crowns for a comfortable, natural-looking, and gorgeous finish.
A dentist must etch into the tooth enamel to prepare the surface for these dental fixtures. They use bonding made from composite resin to adhere the veneers to the teeth. The shells cover just the front of the teeth rather than the entire tooth as a crown would.
Dentists employ veneers for smile enhancement purposes, but veneers will also serve as protection for the portion of the tooth they attach to. The bonding creates a seal similar to the dental cement of a crown, preventing plaque from harming the vulnerable area of the tooth. Patients can get a whiter and straighter smile while improving their oral health in many ways too.
These fixed dental tools can remain on the smile for longer than fifteen years if you take care of your oral health. The veneers will resist staining and decay, but the underlying teeth could suffer damage from plaque. To get the most out of your porcelain veneers, continue good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.