What is a crown?
A crown enhances a tooth that’s damaged, decayed, or unsightly. It’s an artificial tooth cap that your provider fits over your tooth. It’s custom-designed to fit comfortably in your smile and feel and function just like your natural tooth.
Do I need a crown?
Some of the conditions that might lead your provider to suggest a crown include:
- A significant crack or chip in your tooth
- Severe decay
- A tooth that’s misshapen, discolored, or otherwise unsightly
- Strengthening your tooth after a root canal
Your provider can also use a crown in conjunction with a dental implant to replace a tooth that’s fully missing from your smile.
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that look like the front side of your visible teeth. They’re custom-built and handcrafted to fit comfortably on the front of your teeth and blend in with the rest of your smile for a natural appearance.
Veneers enable you and your provider to cosmetically redesign your teeth and give you the smile of your dreams.
Do I need veneers?
Veneers are effective in treating a wide range of cosmetic defects, including:
- Teeth that are cracked or chipped
- Stained teeth that haven’t responded to professional whitening
- Misshapen teeth
- Teeth that are too small or have large gaps between them
Your provider can also use veneers to fix minor misalignments in your smile.
What is the difference between crowns and veneers?
Crowns and veneers both cover your teeth, so it’s easy to get them confused. The main difference between the two restorations is that dental crowns cover the entirety of your tooth above the gumline, while veneers only cover the front side of your tooth.
What is the process for getting a crown or a veneer?
Crowns and veneers typically take two visits to Palmetto Family Dental. During your first visit, your provider prepares your teeth for the crown or veneer by shaving off some enamel. If you’re getting a crown, your provider shaves enamel from all around your tooth. If you’re getting veneers, they only remove enamel from the front side.
Your provider then takes an impression of your teeth. They send that impression to a lab, where a ceramist uses it to custom-build your veneers. In the meantime, you wear a set of temporary veneers or a temporary crown.
When the lab finishes constructing your permanent restoration, you come back to Palmetto Family Dental for a second appointment where your provider removes your temporary crown or veneers and bonds the permanent ones in place.
Schedule your consultation for a crown or veneers today by calling the Palmetto Family Dental office nearest you or using the online booking tool.
