If your front teeth are discolored, misshapen, chipped, or if you’re just not happy with how they look when you smile, you might be considering cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile. Two of the most common ways that our Rexburg dentists improve our patients’ smiles are through crowns and veneers. Several factors will play into which of these options will work better for your smile, as you’ll see below. But, the best way to find out which of these options is the right choice for you, is to schedule a consultation with one of our Rexburg dentists. Our dentists have helped hundreds of patients restore their smiles and their confidence and we know we’ll be able to provide the same results for you.
Call today to learn how Rexburg veneers and crowns can improve your smile, and continue reading to learn about veneers and crowns as well as the pros and cons of each option.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain (sometimes composite) shell-like coverings that are shaped to cover the tooth or teeth they are correcting and look natural next to the surrounding teeth. When a person gets veneers in Rexburg it is often to correct at least two or more of the front teeth but this dental procedure can be used to correct just one tooth or more teeth as needed. Veneers are bonded to the damaged or discolored tooth and take little preparation to be bonded to the teeth. Making them a quick and effective solution for correcting smiles.
The Pros of Rexburg Veneers
- Minimal preparation time and work to the tooth are needed. Your Rexburg dentist only needs to shave off less than a millimeter of the enamel of the tooth to bond the veneer.
- Veneers are custom made to match the surrounding teeth giving your smile a natural appearance.
- Veneers can be used to fix just one damaged, chipped, or discolored tooth or all of your front teeth.
- Porcelain veneers will last up to 15 years if taken care of properly. Composite veneers can last up to 7 years before they will need to be replaced.
- Veneers are considered stronger than dental crowns.
- Veneers are stain-resistant.
- They are low maintenance and don’t require extra care or changes in your dental routine.
The Cons of Rexburg Veneers
- One of the most common drawbacks of getting veneers is that porcelain veneers are more expensive than dental crowns or composite veneers.
- The enamel that’s removed from your teeth will not grow back. This isn’t really a downside if you plan on keeping your veneers and getting them replaced if a chip occurs (which is very rare).
- Chipped or damaged veneers must be replaced, they cannot be repaired. As mentioned above this rarely happens since the material is so strong, but if it does happen it can be expensive to replace.
- Veneers are not a viable option if you suffer from Bruxism (grinding and clenching your teeth) as this can increase wear and tear on the veneers and may lead to chipping or cracking.
- Veneers are not the best choice if the tooth is unhealthy or has signs of tooth decay. Unhealthy gums and patients with periodontal disease will not benefit from Rexburg veneers either.
- Veneers are not usually covered by dental insurance. This is not the case all the time, so be sure to check with your dental insurance provider first.
What Are Crowns?
Unlike veneers, crowns are designed to encase the entire tooth and can be made out of porcelain, metal alloy, or both. Usually, crowns are used for teeth that have more than just a cosmetic issue and can help to protect a damaged tooth. Whereas veneers are used solely for cosmetic purposes.
To place a crown, about 40% or 60% of the natural tooth is trimmed down so that the new crown will completely encase the old tooth. This new crown is created to fit next to the surrounding teeth.
The Pros of Crowns
- Dental crowns in Rexburg are cheaper than veneers.
- Crowns are usually covered or at least partially covered by dental insurance. Again, check with your dental insurance provider to see what is and isn’t covered.
- Crowns are the best choice for teeth that are cracked, broken, or where a root canal treatment is needed (or has happened).
- Crowns protect the tooth from further damage and decay.
- Crowns are the best choice for people whose tooth damage is caused by grinding or clenching their teeth together (Bruxism).
- If a crown is not shaped correctly or too high, this can easily be reshaped.
The Cons of Crowns
- Much like veneers, the enamel and tooth that are trimmed away so that the crown can fit cannot be replaced, making this procedure irreversible.
- Porcelain dental crowns can be expensive, especially if not covered by insurance, but metal-alloy crowns are less expensive.
- Some patients will experience sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages after getting a dental crown.
- Crowns can become chipped and may need to be repaired or replaced.
Call Your Rexburg Dentist Today
As you can see, veneers are more commonly used for aesthetic reasons while dental crowns are often used for more fundamental problems within the tooth or teeth. To explore both these, and more options, contact your Rexburg dentist today at Eagle Rock Dental Care to schedule an appointment.