01 Jul Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns
When you have a cosmetic issue with your teeth, you may be wondering what is the right solution for you. As a dental office in Prescott, Arizona offering both porcelain veneers and crowns, we have seen firsthand how effective each can be in enhancing a smile and restoring teeth.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain that cover the front of a tooth and are custom made to match the tooth’s shape. Aesthetically, they match teeth in both shape and color to create a beautiful and attractive smile. Porcelain veneers are very durable and can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced. They can also be used to enhance your smile by completely reshaping your teeth and whitening their color if needed.
What are Crowns?
Like Veneers, crowns are durable and last a long time. They are made to match a tooth’s color and shape, giving an aesthetically-pleasing smile. The main difference between crowns and veneers is that crowns cover the entire tooth instead of only the front. For this reason, crowns and veneers are ideal in different situations.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns
Compared to veneers, a crown is better at protecting and strengthening the tooth structure. This makes them better suited for teeth that have sustained heavier damage & decay, teeth that have root canals, and teeth with damaged or large fillings. Crowns offer cosmetic enhancement as well as heavier protection, compared to porcelain veneers.
Veneers are an ideal solution for treating many dental conditions in which crowns may be less suitable. Veneers can be used to treat gaps between teeth, heavily stained teeth, teeth with minor damage, misshapen teeth, and other dental issues. Porcelain veneers are less intrusive than crowns because they require less of the enamel to be removed for placement.
Cosmetic Dentist in Prescott
It is important to note that veneers may not be covered by your insurance since they are considered mostly aesthetic in nature. Crowns are more often covered by insurance because they typically treat functional issues as well as cosmetic ones.
Each situation may vary so please consult your dentist to find out which option is best for you. At Hicks Dental, we are here to help our patients make informed decisions about their dental health and cosmetics. We enjoy helping our clients decide which option is best for them, so contact us today and schedule an appointment to see whether crowns or veneers are right for you!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (07/19/2019) Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash