Smile Makeover: Crowns or Veneers?

Considering choosing a general dentist to perform your smile makeover? Smart. Many people think making over their smile will look for a cosmetic dentist to complete their makeover, not understanding that some general dentists are an option, too. Making a consultation appointment is the first step to determining which smile makeover options a general dentist offers.

About smile makeovers

Dental advancements have come a long way over recent years, allowing dental patients more options for improving their smiles. Two of the more commonly chosen makeover options include dental crowns and veneers, as these two makeover options not only enhance the look of one's teeth but also improve the function of one's teeth. Read on for a description of both options.

Dental crowns

Dental crowns are versatile makeover options, as they can strengthen a tooth so it can again function properly and fix teeth that are not so cosmetically pleasing. First, a tooth must be prepared for crown placement, requiring a dentist to file down part of the tooth so the crown will fit properly. Then, once the tooth is prepared, an impression of the tooth is made and then sent to a dental lab for fabrication.

A temporary crown may be placed over the tooth until the permanent crown is ready. Placing the permanent crown requires a dentist to carefully cement it into the correct position, ensuring that the patient's bite is correct. The entire placement process tends to take about one hour to complete.

Dental crowns are a common choice for smile makeover patients with worn-down teeth, poorly-shaped teeth, severely-stained teeth, crooked teeth, or chipped teeth, or who want to close any gaps between them.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are made using thin pieces of porcelain attached only to a tooth's front surface. For a successful veneer replacement, the general dentist must first prepare the tooth. Preparation requires the dentist to carefully remove a very small amount of the tooth's enamel, allowing the veneer to bond properly to the tooth. After preparation is complete, a tooth impression is taken and sent to a laboratory so the veneer can be custom-made for the patient.

While the patient waits for their custom-made veneers to be created, temporary veneers will be placed on their teeth until their permanent veneers are ready. Once the permanent veneers are complete, the dentist will remove the temporary veneers and carefully cement the permanent veneers to the patient's teeth. A special dental light ensures that the veneers are fully bonded to the teeth.

Dental veneers are a common choice for smile makeover patients who want to hide tooth stains, cover up chips in teeth, change the shape of a tooth, and close tooth gaps.

Ready to improve the look of your smile?

Both veneers and crowns help make one's teeth look better, which is what a smile makeover should do, but they also improve the function of one's teeth, making for overall healthier teeth.

Are you considering a smile makeover in the The Bronx area? Get more information at https://alcott.cohensgentledental.com, or call our office at (718) 502-8183 to schedule an appointment.

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