If you are considering enhancing your smile, a porcelain crown and veneers can be equally effective options. Our modern dental porcelain can be matched to virtually any shade of dental tissue, so your newly enhanced tooth or teeth will blend naturally with the rest of your smile. The right treatment for you will depend on several factors, including your dental health, your personal cosmetic goals, and the degree of enhancement you require.
At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, a member of our team can explain both options at your consultation and help you choose the optimal treatment. Contact us today to schedule your cosmetic evaluation.
What Is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain dental crown is a larger restoration, shaped like a tooth. Because it fits over the entire tooth, your dentist will need to significantly reshape it. He or she will gently trim away tissue before taking impressions. These impressions will enable our trusted partner lab to create a crown that fits comfortably and snugly. Your dentist will also carefully match the porcelain to your surrounding teeth to ensure a seamless and beautiful smile.
Candidates for a Porcelain Crown
Because a crown requires significant changes to your tooth, we typically recommend this type of restoration for severe cosmetic issues or structural damage. A crown may be right for you if you struggle with:
- Significant decay that is too widespread for a filling
- An infected tooth
- A cracked tooth
- An acutely worn tooth that offsets the force of your bite
- A severely misshapen tooth
What Are Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are much smaller than crowns and, as such, require less alteration to your teeth. To place a veneer, your dentist will simply need to trim off the thin layer of dental enamel in the front of your tooth. As with a porcelain crown, he will then take impressions of your tooth and send them, along with an appropriate color selection, to our lab. The technicians will craft a wafer-thin piece of porcelain that will form a new facade for your tooth.
Candidates for Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are a more conservative option than a porcelain crown. Accordingly, they may be a better choice if you are simply struggling with cosmetic dentistry concerns, rather than structural or functional issues. We may recommend veneers if you want to address:
- Discoloration, such as internal staining, that teeth whitening cannot reduce
- Small cracks and chips in your teeth
- Minor gaps and misalignment that do not require orthodontic care
- Worn edges that do not affect the balance of your bite
- Slightly misshapen or small teeth
In addition, to qualify for veneers, your teeth need to be structurally sound. If you want to improve the look of a tooth with a cavity or previous filling, we will likely recommend a porcelain crown instead.
Find Out If a Porcelain Crown or a Veneer Is Right for You
At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, we proudly use the latest dental materials for stunningly lifelike crowns and veneers. We always provide detailed and honest treatment recommendations that are in your best interests. To learn more about our cosmetic and restorative options, contact us online or call (02) 6653-1788. We proudly serve patients in Coffs Harbor and Woolgoolga.
