Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are two popular dental treatments that we offer in our Leland, NC dentist office. While these two options appear to be very similar, they actually serve two different purposes within your smile.
If you are considering porcelain veneers or dental crowns, read below to learn more about the similarities and differences between these two dental treatment options:
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are primarily considered a cosmetic dentistry treatment option. Used to cosmetically replace the front-facing portion of a tooth, porcelain veneers conceal major or minor blemishes that are taking away from the uniformity of your smile. Whether you have chips, stains, or misshapen teeth, porcelain veneers can be incorporated into your treatment plan to give you a complete smile makeover. You can choose to get one veneer or multiple veneers depending on your needs and goals. Porcelain veneers do not require a significant amount of enamel removal to make space for them. Because they are only replacing the front-facing portion of their tooth, they are very thin, allowing you to maintain most of your natural tooth structure beneath them.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are primarily considered a restorative dentistry option. This is because we most commonly recommend dental crowns to patients who have experienced some kind of extensive dental damage or decay. While minor chips can be concealed with a porcelain veneer, any dental damage impacting the structure or functionality of your natural tooth should be addressed with a dental crown. Replacing the entire exterior of an affected tooth, the dental crown is designed to cosmetically and functionally replace a damaged tooth. This means that this dental treatment option requires more enamel removal than porcelain veneers to make space for restoration. Patients love dental crowns because they allow them to address extensive dental damage without the need for a tooth extraction. The tooth roots and foundational core of your tooth remain while being protected by a porcelain crown.
Schedule An Appointment
Looking for a cosmetic or restorative dentist in Leland, NC? At the Dental Center at Waterford, we are here to help you navigate your dental health needs and goals. Schedule an appointment with our team of dental professionals today. We look forward to seeing you soon.