Porcelain Veneers

No two patients have exactly the same issues when it comes to cosmetic dental concerns; the experienced cosmetic dental professional must approach each patient differently. Often, simply applying porcelain veneers is not enough; a combination approach that may include veneers, crowns, bonding and even some kind of orthodontic alignment is required.

Porcelain Crowns and Veneers

Porcelain veneers are often used in combination with crowns. Although veneers and crowns serve many of the same functions in restoring a tooth’s appearance, they are two different things. This difference however is primarily one of degree.

Porcelain veneers are basically cosmetic and used to restore the outside appearance of teeth. They consist of a sliver of material that covers only that front part of teeth that show.

Crowns on the other hand encase the entire tooth, front and back. They are more than simply a cosmetic fix. When teeth have suffered substantial damage due to injury or neglect, porcelain veneers are not much help. The issue goes beyond cosmetic appearance. Crowns allow the cosmetic dental professional to completely reshape the tooth, restoring not only its appearance but its overall strength as well.

Porcelain Veneers – The Process

As you might imagine, applying crowns is a more involved process than applying porcelain veneers. The tooth to receive a crown must be trimmed down in order for the crown to fit properly.

There are times when the cosmetic dentist faces a bit of a challenge when trying to determine whether to apply a veneer or a crown. Again, degree is a factor; whereas a tooth that is only slightly worn or chipped may be a good candidate for a veneer, one that has broken off or has been extensively damaged due to injury or tooth decay will require a full crown.

This is one of the important reasons why it’s a good idea to have cosmetic dentistry done by a Carlsbad dentist who has undergone intensive training and is recognized as a cosmetic dentist; such a professional will ultimately make his/her decision based on what is best for the patient rather than considerations of expedience and economic factors.