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Crowns Versus Veneers: Which is Right for You?

If you’re feeling fed up with your discolored teeth and broken smile, you’ve probably been weighing up your treatment options for a while. You may be wondering whether crowns or veneers are the best choice for you.

It’s a question we’re often asked here at Richard Hardt, D.D.S., so let’s take a closer look at the differences between crowns and veneers, and the things we consider when deciding on the right treatment plan to create your dream smile.

Veneers are commonly used to correct discoloration and minor issues with your teeth

A veneer is a thin porcelain shell used to cover the front-facing surface of your tooth. A small amount of enamel is removed so the veneer can be bonded to the surface, which means having veneers won’t affect your bite and will naturally fit in place to restore your smile.

Veneers will last for the long term when cared for as you would your natural teeth, with regular flossing and brushing to prevent them from becoming stained. Veneers can’t be naturally whitened, so thorough brushing is particularly important to ensure your restored smile stays sparkling white for as long as possible.

We tend to use veneers where whitening techniques won’t lift stains and discoloration from teeth, but they're also perfect for:

  • Correcting small gaps between the teeth
  • Strengthening teeth weakened by enamel erosion
  • Covering cracks and chips
  • Correcting uneven teeth without the need for braces

Crowns are the better option when a tooth is severely damaged or decayed

A crown is a ceramic shell that fits over the whole visible tooth to repair significant damage or decay. We use a crown to save as much as the natural tooth as possible to avoid having to extract it. A crown is often used to cover a tooth after a root canal procedure is performed to treat an infection or inflammation deep in a tooth. Crowns are also used to:

  • Repair a broken tooth
  • Prevent weak teeth from breaking
  • Attach a bridge
  • Protect a dental implant

A crown may also work best when there isn’t enough tooth to support a large filling.

Crowns come in a variety of colors to blend in with your natural teeth and can last many years when cared for properly.  

While traditional porcelain crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have been used for many years, we offer CERECⓇ technology, which makes getting a crown easier and faster.

Both crowns and veneers can be placed right in our office

To restore your natural smile just how you want it takes precision and experience, and our dentists provide artistic care in placing your crown or veneers.

Crowns are fitted under local anesthetic, as they require removal of all signs of decay and infection. The existing tooth is shaped down for the cap to be placed over it and secured. With the CEREC system, we use a digital scan to capture an image of your tooth, then the crown is created with our in-office milling system.

Veneers are fitted over two visits with subsequent follow-ups to ensure that you’re happy with the results. At your first visit, we take digital images along with a mold of your teeth, so the lab can create customized veneers to your liking. At the next appointment, we prepare your teeth by removing enough enamel to ensure a good and natural fit, and then we affix your new veneers to your teeth.

If you’re still unsure whether crowns or veneers are the best option for you, or you’re eager to get started with restoring your smile, call our office or use the online button to book your appointment with Dr. Hardt or Dr. Monterroso today.