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

If your teeth have cosmetic problems such as discolorations or chips in the tooth enamel, there are ways to correct these problems. If other cosmetic treatments haven’t worked for you, your dentist may recommend dental veneers or dental crowns, depending on your goals for your smile.

Dental veneers and crowns are both powerful tools that your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, can use to give your teeth a more uniform, conventionally attractive appearance. At Mandarin Dentistry, we offer both types of services for our patients. We’re here to help you decide between both options.

What’s a Dental Veneer?

A dental veneer is a thin, tooth-colored, tooth-shaped cover made of porcelain or composite. Dental veneers fit over the front of the teeth to hide discolorations, chips, and cracks. They do not strengthen the teeth or provide any structural support. In fact, your dentist will need to shave down a little bit of your tooth enamel to make space for the veneer; then, the veneer will be permanently adhered to your tooth.

Dental veneers can be used to change the apparent shape of the tooth. If you have a tooth that’s unusually short or a gap between your teeth, the dentist may recommend veneers to give your tooth the appearance of being like your other teeth.

What’s a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a cover that’s placed over the entire tooth to support the tooth enamel. Dental crowns can cover discolorations, but they can also be used to strengthen enamel that a procedure like a root canal has weakened. In other words, your dentist may recommend a crown if you have cosmetic or structural problems to fix with your tooth.

Dental crowns aren’t always tooth-colored. In fact, some dental crowns are made of metal. If you want a tooth-colored dental crown to ensure that the crown looks natural, talk to your dentist when choosing the material for your crown.

Get Started With Your Dental Procedure Today

Dental crowns and dental veneers can solve some of the same problems, but there are differences between the two options. Do you have questions about dental crowns and veneers in Jacksonville, FL? Call Mandarin Dentistry to learn more.