Cosmetic Dentistry Orange County | Huefner Sensational Smiles Blog

Veneers and crowns are both dental prosthetics used to correct cosmetic and functional dental problems, but they are otherwise very different.

Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain that are bonded to the fronts of your existing teeth. They are used to improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth by hiding:

• Stains
• Discoloration
• Chips
• Cracks
• Wear
• Misaligned and crooked teeth

The use of veneers offers you natural looking teeth that are resistant to staining and discoloration. Although porcelain is brittle on its own, when bonded to a strong surface such as tooth enamel, it becomes very durable and long lasting, and can even increase the strength of teeth weakened by damage and decay.

Crowns
A dental crown is a cap that is permanently placed over a tooth to cover that tooth and restore its strength, shape, size and appearance. Crowns can be made from different types of materials such as metal, partial porcelain, all resin, and all porcelain. Which material is used depends on your needs and preferences and Dr. Huefner will make appropriate recommendations.

A dental crown is usually recommended for one or more of the following reasons:

• To cover dental implants
• To protect a tooth after an endodontic treatment
• To support and cover teeth that have large fillings without a lot of tooth left
• To protect weak or cracked teeth
• To repair worn or broken teeth
• To cover discolored and misshapen teeth
• To add strength to a dental bridge and hold it in place

In order to determine which will best suit your needs veneers or crowns, please contact Dr. Norman Huefner today to learn more.