Your smile says a lot about who you are. A healthy, straight, and radiant smile can help boost your confidence and allow you to feel comfortable being yourself in front of others.
A dull or crooked smile can be enhanced with the help of a dedicated dentist in Saskatoon. There are many options for smile enhancement, two of the main ones being dental veneers and dental crowns. These treatments are very different, but they do have some things in common, which can make it hard for patients to distinguish between the two.
In this blog post, our team at Brighton Dental Centre tells you all about these two cosmetic dental treatments so you can make the best decision for your smile.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is essentially a tooth-shaped cap that is snugly fitted over a decaying or damaged tooth to protect it and restore its appearance. Unlike dental veneers, dental crowns in Saskatoon come in various kinds of materials. The type of material that one may get is dependent on the use of the tooth and where it is located in your smile. Some options for dental crown materials include:
- Stainless steel- these are most often used on children’s teeth to protect them until they fall out.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal- these are made of a metal interior with porcelain attached to the outside. This combination provides both a strong and aesthetically pleasing restoration.
- All-porcelain- these are the best options for restoring front teeth because strength isn’t as important in front teeth, and this material looks the most natural.
Dental crowns work to prevent a weak tooth from breaking or decaying, support dental bridges, cover discolored teeth, or are placed simply to enhance the appearance of a tooth.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin pieces of ceramic or porcelain that are used to cover the front surfaces of a tooth rather than an entire tooth. A dental veneer only requires a dentist to reduce the thickness of your natural teeth by less than one millimeter. Because of this, dental veneers are mainly used for cosmetic reasons rather than restorative purposes. Dental veneers are not as strong as dental crowns, and as such, should only be used on the front teeth, where little pressure is applied.
Dental veneers can be used to address a wide range of cosmetic smile imperfections, including but not limited to:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Mild misalignment
Most individuals who want dental veneers are good candidates for them. The best way to begin your smile transformation with porcelain veneers is by visiting a dentist for a consultation where you can discuss all your smile goals.
The Bottom Line
Both dental crowns and veneers can improve the appearance of your smile and can be customized to suit your specific needs. However, dental crowns can also work to restore a tooth and protect it from damage, whereas dental veneers are mainly used for cosmetic purposes.
If you want to learn more about which procedure is best for you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated dental team at Brighton Dental Center. We are happy to assist you with all your dental needs so you can achieve a healthy and radiant smile that lasts for a lifetime.