3 Times When A Dental Crown Works Better Than A Veneer
Posted on: 14 August 2015
Dental crowns and veneers are two cosmetic dentistry options that offer similar results with differing methods. Both require the dentist to create a custom-crafted hollow shell that bonds onto the tooth in some position. The positioning of that shell and the amount of tooth covered varies with a dental crown offering fuller coverage. So there are times when a dental crown will likely prove a better treatment option than a veneer.
Here are a few times you should consider going with a dental crown. You should discuss your options carefully with your dentist to ensure that your dental problem best fits a crown.
Structural Weakness
Does the affected tooth have a substantial cavity, cracking, or some other type of damage that puts the tooth at great risk of future damage? A veneer could help cover the cosmetic flaws associated with the damage. But the veneer only snaps onto the front of the tooth so the other parts of of the tooth would remain vulnerable to damage.
A dental crown, however, can come down over the entire exterior of the tooth to provide a protective barrier. The crown can help maintain the natural tooth that remains undamaged while also keeping the tooth from further damage. This protection can remove teeth sensitivity issues while fixing the appearance of the tooth.
Bite-Force Tooth
Certain teeth play a bigger role in chewing. The molars in the rear of the mouth, for example, do most of the hard chewing. This hard chewing exerts a bite force on the molars that makes the teeth – and any dental alterations on those teeth – more susceptible to damage.
Both veneers and dental crowns can be made of porcelain to better mimic the color of natural teeth. But veneers are made of a thinner layer of porcelain. And dental crowns are available with a porcelain upper backed with metal for added strength. So veneers are more vulnerable to bite force damage than a porcelain-backed metal crown.
Note that crowns can also suffer damage when used on a molar, though the risk is less severe than with veneers. Discuss with your dentist ways you can help minimize the chances of the crown chipping while you chew.
Small or Wide-Spaced Teeth
Both crowns and veneers require the dentist to file down the tooth's surface a bit so that the bonding agents can form a better bond. And both end up adding a bit of width to the tooth. But crowns require less filing and are bulkier than veneers. These factors are actually an advantage when correcting overly small teeth or teeth spaced out with a wide gap.
A crown can create a larger, closer-set tooth and makes the shape alteration all the way around the tooth. Veneers could adjust the size of the tooth slightly, but wouldn't be even all the way around the tooth.
To learn more, contact a dental office like Accent On Dentistry - Rowena R Martir DMD.
Share