Cosmetic dentistry has expanded over the past few years and now offers patients more options for perfecting their smile. If you are exploring your options, you may have stumbled across veneers and crowns, but how do you know which is right for your teeth? Each have their benefits, but most importantly, they have different uses. By understanding how each of these work, you can then decide which is best for you.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Veneers?
Veneers, commonly made from porcelain or a resin composite, resist stains and mimic the appearance of real teeth. A few dental issues that they can correct include:
- Teeth discolouration – including those that occur from root canals
- Teeth that are worn down
- Teeth that have awkward placements
- Teeth with spacing in between
- Teeth that are misaligned
- Teeth with cracks on the enamel
They are put into place using a bonding technique, which involves a tooth-coloured material that is shaped and hardened onto your existing tooth’s surface.
When are Crowns More Appropriate?
There are certain imperfections in your smile that will make you a better candidate for a crown instead of veneers. That is because while versatile, veneers cannot correct major malformations in the teeth. Some examples of situations that will require a crown instead of veneers include:
- When the lingual surfaces of your teeth are worn through and dentin is exposed. You will need a crown to cover and protect the surface.
- If the imperfections are due to grinding or clenching your teeth, you will need a crown instead of veneers.
- If you do not have ample enamel for the resin to adhere to the tooth’s surface, you will need a crown.
- If your teeth are severely out of alignment, such as rotated or lacking stability. Also, if you need orthodontic treatment, such as braces, then you will want to correct the physical aesthetics before using veneers or crowns.
- If you already have crowns in place, the colour matching may be easier to match crowns to crowns versus matching veneers to existing crowns.
- If only one tooth is being treated or corrected, you may want a crown instead of veneers. This is because the veneer’s final colour is influenced by the veneer material, the cementing compound and the tooth structure, which makes it next to impossible to match it to existing teeth.
If you have imperfections in your smile that you want to correct, visit Oxford Dental in Edmonton for a consultation. Our cosmetic dentists can help you identify which type of cosmetic procedures is right for your teeth and smile goals. Are you ready to take the right steps and work at overcoming your dental phobia?
Get the smile you have always dreamed about. Book your appointment with our dentists in north Edmonton. Give us a call at 780-456-7009 or contact us online.