Dental care is vital, and when it comes to looking after your teeth, you should look for an expert. Dentist can be some of the highest-regarded professionals in a community. They offer personalized care that improves your oral health.
A beautiful smile can be the catalyst for greater self-confidence, and dentists can even optimize your appearance with orthodontic care. Your smile matters, and the right dental procedure could be the difference between a lingering self-doubt or brighter future.
There are so many types of dental treatment options available, from permanent crown options to dental implants to cosmetic veneers, that it can be difficult to know the differences and how they apply to the dental clinic’s procedures. We make it a point to inform you of the costs and specifics of each option.
Dental Veneers FAQ
When you ask the question, “what do you first notice when meeting a new person?”, so often the answer is “teeth” or “smile”. Our smiles can make or break a first impression. It takes a lot to keep a smile healthy, bright, and plain gorgeous. Veneers are a simple and strong choice to help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Veneers are thin shells made of natural tooth-colored materials that bond directly to the front surfaces of your teeth. Composite veneers are made of a type of resin formed to your teeth. Porcelain Veneers, or traditional veneers, are thin porcelain pieces fitted specifically to your teeth. They can also be called dental porcelain laminates.
Veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of your teeth. This cosmetic procedure is ideal for dramatically improving your teeth’ color, shape, size, and length. Veneers cover only the front surface of a tooth and often cover more than one tooth at a time. The procedure changes your entire smile by whitening, enlarging, or even straightening multiple teeth, and is usually used on front teeth and may leave a back tooth exposed.
It is usually considered cosmetic dentistry, but some can be not cosmetic veneers. As the resin or porcelain veneer fused to the tooth surface is long-lasting and stable, it can serve as a support to a weak tooth underneath.
Why Get Veneers
Little did you know, veneers aren’t just a pretty cover. There are lots of reasons to opt for veneers. Veneers are the perfect option for teeth that are:
- Chipped
- Stained
- Misaligned
- Worn down
- Abnormally spaced
You wouldn’t expect it from such a thin porcelain cover, but veneers have strength and resilience to challenge the strength of your natural teeth. You might think that veneers are only for the vain but it’s not just about the pretty smile.
Process
To give you the most natural-looking smile, each veneer is custom fit to each tooth. A small (and I mean small) layer of your tooth’s enamel will be removed to make room for the veneer. This layer is removed so that the veneers fit comfortably and naturally in your mouth.
The veneers are bonded to your teeth with a light-sensitive resin that hardens with a curing light. The bonding process is crucial for the function of your teeth. A great bond will make it near impossible to tell that the veneers are not your natural teeth.
Follow up appointments are offered and encouraged to ensure comfort and functionality of your bright new smile.
Benefits
Veneers are crazy strong: you wouldn’t think something so small could put up such a fight, but veneers give your teeth’s enamel a run for its money.
- Difficult to stain: while our natural teeth can stain pretty easily depending on our dietary habits, veneers can withstand a lot more. This makes veneers a great option for those with stained teeth.
- Custom made: it is near impossible to tell the difference between a natural smile and one that has been enhanced with veneers. Nothing beats a great, natural looking smile.
- Durable: These babies last 10-20 years.
One downfall of veneers is that it can be a difficult decision to make. This procedure is irreversible. You want to be sure you are making the right choice!
Dental Crowns FAQ
A crown is an artificial tooth made from porcelain, ceramic, or a metal alloy. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are usually favored because of how closely they match tooth color, but metal, like gold crowns, has also been popular.
Once it gets cemented into place, it will fully encase the portion of your tooth above the gum line. An initial appointment can help make a cast of your teeth to match and will often start the process of dental implants before the crown can be capped on. A temporary crown may be used initially while the full dental crown is manufactured. This allows for the protection a crown provides without settling you with an imperfect fit.
Crowns are generally considered a restorative treatment for the original tooth. When a significant cavity threatens continued health, crowns are frequently required over top of the large filling.
As it covers the entire tooth, it provides additional protection. This can prevent tooth decay in an existing tooth and prevent broken teeth in the future. Crowns serve as one of the last lines of defense before a root canal is needed, and they are applied after a root canal occurs, but they are only one of many dental restoration methods.
Veneers VS Crowns
- A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite resin material placed over a tooth. A crown is an artificial tooth made out of porcelain, ceramic, or metal that fully encases the portion of your tooth above the gum line.
- Veneers change the appearance of teeth that get discolored, chipped, or worn down by acting as a cover. Crowns support and fully cover a misshapen or broken tooth.
- Before placing a veneer, very little removal of the enamel is required on a prepared tooth and leaves the original tooth intact. Setting a crown involves more tooth removal, often including a full removal and a dental implant.
Factors To Consider
Crowns and veneers are two popular options for restoring teeth. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to consult with your dentist to determine the best option for your tooth structure.
Average Cost
Veneers, especially composite veneers, cost significantly less than dental crown covers, especially as it is usually for cosmetic improvement. Although the material is a consideration for both, a single crowned tooth uses more material than a single veneer.
Veneers and crowns costs change according to the dental clinic, and each can also be priced differently based on the dental practice location, the dentist’s fees, and whether other procedures such as root canals are needed.
Materials
There are several factors to consider when choosing a crown or veneer. The most important factors are the degree of damage and the tooth’s location. If you have minor damage, such as a small chip that does not affect your bite or gum margin, then a veneer can be a good solution. Crowns are generally reserved for more severe damage including painful or tooth-weakening chips.
For teeth that are visible when you smile, such as your upper front teeth, cosmetic considerations usually override other concerns. Crooked teeth are better covered with veneers, but a missing tooth may use either. For back teeth, which aren’t visible when you smile and must withstand heavy chewing forces, durability is often more important than cosmetic considerations, and crowns are recommended.
Damaged Tooth Levels
There are several factors to consider when choosing a crown or veneer. The most important factors are the degree of damage and the tooth’s location. If you have minor damage, such as a small chip that does not affect your bite or gum margin, then a veneer can be a good solution. Crowns are generally reserved for more severe damage including painful or tooth-weakening chips.
For teeth that are visible when you smile, such as your upper front teeth, cosmetic considerations usually override other concerns. Crooked teeth are better covered with veneers, but a missing tooth may use either. For back teeth, which aren’t visible when you smile and must withstand heavy chewing forces, durability is often more important than cosmetic considerations, and crowns are recommended.
Professional Help Is Available!
Ultimately, the best way to decide which treatment is proper for you is to consult with a licensed dentist. They will be able to help you choose the best option based on your individual needs.
Our mission at Eagle Rock Dental Care is to provide the best information, service, and products for our patients. We can help you choose the best dental procedure that meets your individual needs. We provide a “diagnostic wax-up” to help you envision the result before beginning the procedure. Our goal is to restore your perfect smile, improve your dental health, and boost your self-confidence through dental restorations.
