What is the difference between Crowns and Veneers?

Natural teeth are resilient and can withstand a lot of abuse, but they aren’t indestructible. Poor dental hygiene, lack of dental care, poor diet, and injuries can cause damage to your teeth. If your teeth are stained, chipped, cracked, or broken, it can have an impact on your smile and appearance.

At Donegal Family Dental, we provide a wide range of dental restoration treatment options. Our expert dentist in Donegal, PA, Dr. Nista, will carefully examine the current state of your teeth and recommend crowns or veneers based on your requirements.

 

What are Crowns?

Dental crowns help restore the appearance of your teeth and cover up any damage. They are made from either metal, porcelain, or a combination of both. Metal crowns are usually made from gold or silver and are very noticeable, which is why they’re not as popular as other materials. However, they are very durable and can easily last for 10 to 15 years, if you maintain them well.

Porcelain and composite crowns are more popular because they blend in with your natural teeth. Dr. Nista will match the color of the crowns to your natural teeth to ensure the restoration isn’t noticeable. Porcelain is brittle and can break or crack with repeated impact.

Composite crowns are made from metal but have porcelain overlay on them. You get the resilience of metal and the natural appearance of porcelain at the same time. As an experienced dentist in Donegal, PA, Dr. Nista will explain the pros and cons of all options in detail so you can make an informed decision.

 

What Are the Veneers?

Veneers are thin slices of porcelain that are affixed to the front of the teeth. They disguise all types of stains, small chips, and shallow cracks, and give your teeth an even appearance. Veneers are only made from porcelain and aren’t as resilient as crowns. While they are strong enough to handle everyday activities, they can crack or chip on impact or with sustained pressure.

Dr. Nista will scrutinize your teeth to determine if you’re a candidate for veneers before he carries out the procedure. He will color-match the veneers to your natural teeth to ensure they don’t look out of place. Veneers and crowns are permanent restorations so you will have to get new ones if they become damaged in any way.

 

Which Procedure is Suitable For You?

As an established cosmetic dentist in Donegal, PA, Dr. Nista will recommend a procedure only if it suits your requirements well. Here are some factors to consider when you choose between veneers and crowns:

  • Veneers are a less-invasive, conservative treatment. Our dentist will only have to remove a small portion of the natural dental matter from the front of your tooth to make room for the restoration. That’s why this treatment is recommended for minor cosmetic issues like stains, slight chips, and small cracks.
  • Crowns are more invasive because our dentist will have to remove 60% to 75% of the visible tooth to make room for the prosthetic. These prosthetics are suitable if you have extensive damage like large cracks and breaks.

If you want to know more about our dental services or need a cosmetic dentist in Donegal, PA, don’t hesitate to contact Donegal Family Dental at (724) 593-5555 today.