Crowns, bridges, and veneers are common dental treatments, but what are they used for? Are they similar? Here are the key differences you should know:
Crowns Typically Fix Damaged or Weakened Teeth
Dental crowns, which fit over a tooth like a cap, have a few purposes. They can cover chips and breaks, fill large cavities, and protect teeth after a root canal. They can also go on top of a dental implant as a tooth replacement. Made of porcelain, crowns are strong and blend in with your smile.
Bridges Replace Missing Teeth
If you’re missing a few teeth next to each other, a dental bridge could be the solution. A bridge is made of realistic artificial teeth that fill in the gaps left by lost teeth. To anchor the bridge, we use crowns that fit over the teeth you have left on either side of the gap. On their own, crowns are mostly used to repair and restore natural teeth, but they also help a dental bridge do its job properly.
Veneers Enhance Your Smile’s Appearance
Veneers are thin tooth-colored shells. Unlike crowns, they only cover the front of a tooth. They’re also a mostly cosmetic treatment that enhances the color, size, and shape of a natural tooth. They have some restorative benefits, like fixing small chips or cracks, but they’re still considered cosmetic. Because we have to remove a small amount of tooth enamel to bind a veneer, veneers are permanent.
Crowns, Bridges & Veneers at Ashley Laird, DDS in Tyler, Texas
Crowns, bridges, and veneers share some characteristics, but the main differences are that crowns fix damaged teeth, bridges replace missing teeth, and veneers enhance your natural teeth. If you have questions about any of these services or think you may need one, please reach out to book an appointment with Dr. Laird!
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