What Are The Differences Between Porcelain Crowns and Veneers?

At the Fawcett Center for Dentistry, we offer many dental treatments that can improve the health and appearance of our patients’ smiles. Two of the most popular options are custom porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns, each of which can meet a broad range of patient needs and goals. While both porcelain veneers and crowns can provide cosmetic and restorative improvements, each option offers unique benefits.

Porcelain veneers are most commonly used to conceal perceived smile imperfections, which may include stains, chips, cracks, gaps, or possibly worn down or misaligned teeth. Veneers themselves can be described as thin, durable porcelain shells that cover the front of the tooth. Because only a small amount of the tooth needs to be removed to accommodate the thickness of a veneer, this cosmetic procedure is considered to be conservative.

Porcelain crowns are typically used to repair badly decayed or damaged teeth. They are often used to restore a tooth after root canal therapy, which is another dental procedure we offer at our practice. Using innovative CEREC^® technology, we can custom design and manufacture a porcelain crown during your appointment. It is created according to our dentist’s exact specifications and is then fitted over the original tooth. The new crown can help protect the tooth structure from further damage, while enhancing the appearance of the smile.

During your consultation, Dr. Fawcett will examine your mouth and determine whether porcelain crowns, veneers, or other treatments are best for improving your dental health and achieving your cosmetic goals. From there, he will create a customized treatment plan based on the dental concerns and conclusions discussed at this appointment.

If you are interested in learning more about our dental services or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today!