Dr. Rick Dentistry is pleased to offer dental crowns and veneers, two popular procedures designed to restore a smile’s health, function, and natural appearance. Although they share some similarities, there are significant differences in their purpose, materials, and application. Here’s a look at dental crowns and veneers and the key differences between them.

What Is a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped custom caps that cover weak or damaged teeth, restoring their health, function, and natural appearance. Dr. Rick’s Dental practice is pleased to offer same-day CEREC crowns using 3D digital scans of your mouth. Your new restoration will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.

Dr. Rick may recommend a CEREC crown for the following reasons:

• To protect a weak, severely decayed, or otherwise damaged tooth
• To cover a large filling with not much tooth structure remaining
• To strengthen a tooth after root canal therapy
• To replace one or more missing teeth by supporting a dental bridge or covering a dental implant
• To close small gaps or uneven spaces between teeth
• To improve the appearance of a stained, misshapen, worn, misaligned, or otherwise imperfect tooth
• To improve the color, shape, size, or overall appearance of a tooth

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that fit over the front surfaces of your teeth, transforming your smile. They improve the color, size, shape, and overall appearance of your teeth while providing strength and resilience comparable to your natural tooth enamel.

Dr. Rick may recommend porcelain veneers for the following reasons:

• To improve discolored teeth that cannot be whitened with traditional teeth whitening treatments
• To repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, restoring their natural appearance
• To correct uneven, misaligned, irregularly shaped, or gapped teeth, delivering a more uniform smile
• To restore the length and health of teeth worn due to grinding, a condition known as bruxism
• To repair tooth enamel damage, restoring a tooth’s strength and health
• To improve the overall aesthetics of your smile

Dental Crowns vs. Veneers

Here’s a comparison between dental crowns and veneers:

Similarities: Dental crowns and veneers are both designed to improve the appearance and function of your smile. They are made to closely match your natural teeth, delivering seamless results. Caring for both types of dental restorations is the same. You’ll need to brush and floss regularly and visit Dr. Rick’s dental practice for routine dental exams and cleanings to ensure your crowns, veneers, and natural teeth stay in tip-top shape,

Differences: The most significant difference is the tooth coverage your restoration provides. A dental crown covers the entire visible tooth structure, while a porcelain veneer only covers the front surfaces of a tooth. Veneers are considered more conservative restorations because they require less removal of tooth structure to accommodate them. However, dental crowns are more durable and long-lasting than veneers.

Dental Crowns vs. Veneers - Which One Is Right for You?

The best way to determine the ideal restoration for your unique needs is to consult with Dr. Rick and his team. In general, dental crowns are a better option for teeth with severe damage or large fillings or those with compromised tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are best suited for making cosmetic enhancements in terms of a tooth’s color, size, shape, or overall appearance.

Dental Crowns and Veneers Near Me

Visit Dr. Rick’s Dental practice in Scottsdale, AZ, to learn more about restoring your smile’s health, function, and beautifully natural appearance. Dr. Rick will evaluate your unique needs and recommend the ideal restorative solution for your smile. Call us at 480-585-4244 to schedule your appointment, or request one online today!