Dental crowns and porcelain veneers are different types of custom dental restorations that use the same basic material to achieve different goals. While both crowns and veneers can improve the look of your smile, dental crowns are designed to strengthen damaged teeth, while porcelain veneers are designed to improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile line.
If a tooth has become weakened by cracks or excess decay, it may need more protection than a dental filling can give it. A dental crown is a custom-made “tooth cap” that is bonded over the surface of your tooth to reinforce its integrity. As an added bonus, our dental crowns are uniquely crafted to seamlessly match the rest of your smile, creating a natural, fully-restored look.
In contrast, porcelain veneers are thin pieces of dental ceramic that are bonded to the front of your teeth only. Porcelain veneers are used to hide cosmetic imperfections like gaps between teeth, misshapen teeth, permanent stains, and more. While porcelain veneers can improve the integrity of a tooth with a minor crack or chip, their primary purpose is cosmetic. Teeth with major structural damage should be fitted with a crown instead of a veneer.
If you have further questions about dental crowns and porcelain veneers, please contact Dentonics, Inc. today to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Frye. We proudly serve patients in Pittsburgh, Allison Park, and Oakland, Pennsylvania.
