At Coastal Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, we provide a wide range of dental services including porcelain veneers and dental crowns. While these services may seem very similar, they actually serve different purposes within the world of dentistry. Dr. Cappy Sinclair and Dr. Mark Reichley, your top Virginia Beach, VA, dentists, provide their patients with additional information on the differences between porcelain veneers and dental crowns below.
Porcelain Veneers in Virginia Beach, VA
Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry solution used to help patients improve the overall uniformity of their smiles. Consisting of thin, porcelain shells, veneers can be used to conceal a wide range of dental blemishes including gaps, stains, and misshapen teeth. Often, patients choose to utilize porcelain veneers on their front upper and lower teeth, or the teeth that are most visible when they smile.
You can either get one veneer or a full mouth of veneers depending on your budgetary needs and aesthetic goals. Our experienced Virginia Beach cosmetic dentists can advise you on how to best utilize veneers to help you achieve your dream smile. Because veneers are extremely thin, the procedure does not require much enamel removal.
It’s important to note that veneers only cosmetically replace the front-facing portion of your tooth. Most of your natural tooth structure remains underneath the veneer, maintaining your smile’s functionality.
Dental Crowns in Virginia Beach, VA
Dental crowns are a restorative dentistry solution used to help patients correct major smile damages or tooth decay. When a tooth becomes too compromised with damage or decay, it’s essential to see a dentist as soon as possible. Dental crowns allow patients to avoid the need for tooth extraction even when a tooth is severely compromised.
The dental crown itself is a porcelain cap designed to replace the entire exterior of your tooth. The dental crown procedure requires a significant amount of enamel removal to make space for the restoration. Your dentist will shape down the compromised tooth to its foundational core which will support the dental crown. Once placed over the core, your dental crown will cosmetically and functionally replace your damaged tooth.
Additionally, the dental crown will protect the core of your natural tooth as well as its tooth roots. This gives the tooth a second chance and allows your restoration to function just as your natural tooth would.
If you are interested in learning more about porcelain veneers or dental crowns, please schedule an appointment with our Virginia Beach, VA dentist office. Our dentists look forward to helping you find the right solution to restore your smile.