If you’re unhappy with your current teeth, crowns and veneers are two popular options to help remedy your problems. But how do you know which one is the right choice? Dr. William U. Britton DDS, MAGD, from Gentle Dental Care in Jackson, OH, can help you solve all your dental needs. Here, he explains the key differences between crowns and veneers. 

Crowns

Crowns, also called dental caps, are quite literally caps for teeth that have large cavities. If a dentist finds that a cavity has grown to be more than half the tooth, a crown is placed to protect the remaining, healthy part of the tooth from fracture and further damage. 
Crowns are also commonly used on patients who have had a root canal or have cracked tooth syndrome.

Though crowns are great for protecting teeth, there are also many aesthetic benefits. Crowns are frequently used to fill spaces in the gum line or to cover teeth that are discolored, damaged, or have an undesirable appearance. 

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or gold, and typically require two or three visits to your dentist to be molded and applied successfully. After being placed, crowns usually last 10-15 years and should be treated with the same care that you give your “real” teeth. 

Veneers

Unlike crowns, veneers primarily serve an aesthetic purpose and are used to transform the look and feel of your existing teeth. You and your dentist will work together to determine the exact shape, size, and look of your new veneers. 

From there, an impression of the new teeth is made, and the veneers are manufactured into thin, ceramic shells that are placed directly over your existing teeth. Like crowns, the entire process of planning and placing veneers can be done in two or three visits to your dentist.  

If you’re considering getting crowns or veneers, talk to one of the experienced professionals at Gentle Care Dental in Jackson, OH. William U. Britton DDS, MAGD and his staff can answer all of your questions about crowns and veneers. Call (740) 286-3033 to schedule your initial consultation or visit their website to learn about their wide range of dental hygiene services.