Veneers vs. Crowns

Over time a person’s teeth can become discolored, can form small cracks in the enamel, or even break. Fortunately, all of these issues can be fixed with the help of a cosmetic dentist. Depending on the specific problem and your oral health, you have the option between dental veneers and dental crowns to fix chips, breaks and stains.

Crowns and veneers have certain similarities inasmuch as both are custom made to fit the particular tooth or teeth, and both will give you a straight, bright and beautiful smile. Regardless of the approach, the dentist must first take a mold of the patient’s teeth, which is then given to a dental technician where the crown or veneers are made. Once it has been returned to the dentist it is fitted on the tooth or teeth using a special high strength, long lasting dental adhesive. Both procedures will require more than one visit to your dentist’s office.

While both veneers and crowns are both relatively easy methods to correct flaws in your smile, there are also important distinctions between the two. A crown is designed to encapsulate an entire tooth while veneers are used only on the front, visible surface of the teeth. Veneers are reserved for use on teeth that can be seen when the person smiles.

They are both also used for different purposes. Crowns are usually used when a tooth has been broken off or the tooth is badly decayed; they can also be used to change the shape of a tooth. Crowns are extremely strong, and are therefore ideal for use on the teeth you use to chew food. A tooth must be reduced in size considerably when it is prepared to accept a crown.

Dental veneers are generally used on teeth that are exposed when smiling; the teeth must be strong and healthy in order for the veneers to work effectively. Teeth that are discolored, chipped, cracked and even crooked or widely spaced can be salvaged with veneers. Veneers are made to only cover the front of the tooth, as a result only the front of the tooth has to be reduced in size unlike crowns which require the entire tooth to be ground down. Although veneers are strong they are brittle, this is why they are not used on those teeth that are used to chew food.

Both dental veneers and crowns are ideal solutions when a patient wants to effectively transform his or her existing teeth into the radiant smile they have always wanted. We offer both treatments at our dental offices in Lincoln Park and the South Loop – call us for more information.