What’s the Difference Between Dental Veneers and a Dental Crown?

If you have teeth that have been damaged or injured, dental veneers or dental crowns can help restore your smile. While these dental tools can look similar, they function differently. Your dentist in Grand Island, NE, can help you decide which one is best for you.

At Gentle Dental Care, we provide dental crowns and dental veneers to patients who want to make their smile whole again. We can help you decide which option is right for you.

What Are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a thin, tooth-shaped cap that the dentist fits over your tooth to protect damaged tooth enamel. During installation, the tooth is shaved to make space for the crown. Dental crowns can be made from a range of materials including porcelain or metal.

Metal dental crowns are strong and long-lasting. Metal dental crowns can also be made from a very thin layer of metal, so your tooth doesn’t need to be shaved very much to install this type of crown.

Porcelain dental crowns can be tooth-colored and therefore match your other teeth. This material is most often used on teeth near the front of the mouth, to maintain the beauty of your smile.

Dental crowns provide structural reinforcement for damaged tooth enamel. Crowns are often placed on the teeth after a root canal.

What Are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is a tooth-shaped cover installed on a tooth to hide cosmetic imperfections. To make room for the dental veneer, the dentist must shave some of the tooth enamel from the front of your tooth. Dental veneers are always tooth-colored, and unlike dental crowns, dental veneers do not provide structural support to the tooth.

Which One Is Right For Me?

If you would like to hide cosmetic defects in your tooth, a dental veneer may be the right tool for you. If you want to protect a damaged tooth, a dental crown may be the best choice.

Have questions about dental crowns and dental veneers in Grand Island, NE? Call today to make an appointment and speak with one of our dental professionals.