Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns

Encinitas, Carlsbad, and San Diego

One of the most common and versatile cosmetic dental procedures is the placement of porcelain veneers. Veneers can dramatically change the look of your mouth, correcting many problems that were once corrected using a dental crown.

 

Though veneers have replaced the dental crown as the treatment of choice in many situations, dental crowns are still in use for many situations where a veneer is insufficient. San Diego area cosmetic dentist Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole works with both veneers and dental crowns, and will help you determine which approach will work best for you.

 

Porcelain Veneers

 

Porcelain veneers are very thin shells made of carefully color-matched porcelain. The porcelain is partially translucent and so closely mimics the look of natural enamel. Only a small layer must be removed from the tooth surface to make room for a veneer. Because veneers are minimally invasive and look very much like your original teeth, they are often used for:

 

• Minor cracks in the tooth surface
• Minor pitting, chipped teeth, or other surface damage
• Discoloration that does not respond to tooth whitening
• Minor misalignment or small gaps between the teeth

 

Veneers are delicate, but when Dr. Cole affixes them permanently to your teeth, they bond to the enamel and become very strong. When properly cared for, veneers can last many years.

 

Dental Crowns

 

A dental crown is designed to fit over the entire tooth. In order to place a dental crown, the existing tooth is restructured to a "peg,” with a large amount of the original tooth removed.

 

Dental crowns are usually used when the tooth is too damaged to accept a veneer. In most cases a dental crown is more appropriate for:

 

• Severely cracked teeth
• Root canals
• Severe chipping or trauma-related damage

 

With extensive experience in both general and cosmetic dentistry, Mary Walsh-Cole, DMD can determine whether porcelain veneers or a dental crown will work best for your specific needs. For more information about veneers or crowns, please contact Dr. Walsh-Cole’s San Diego, Encinitas and Carlsbad, California cosmetic dentistry offices.