What Are the Differences Between Dental Crowns and Veneers?

Do you have visibly damaged teeth? Dental veneers and crowns are a couple of options that you may want to consider for improving your smile. At Dental Wellness of Albany, our dentists in Albany, NY, offer these solutions to fit different situations. Here’s a closer look at the differences between crowns and veneers to help you choose which is best for your teeth!

What Are Veneers?

These are thin shells that we apply to your teeth to cover flaws that show when you smile. They’re made of porcelain and stick to the front surfaces of your teeth using adhesive material.

What Are Crowns?

These are caps we place over your whole tooth to restore its appearance and protect it from damage. Crowns come in different materials, like metal and porcelain.

Cosmetic vs. Restorative Treatment

When choosing between dental crowns and veneers in Albany, NY, consider why you’re seeking treatment. Veneers only cover the front surfaces of your teeth and are mainly used for aesthetic purposes. Crowns cover the entire tooth and are used as restorations.

Veneer vs. Crown Uses

Veneers are used to conceal cosmetic flaws, like chipped teeth or discoloration. They’re also used for smaller cracks and misshapen teeth. Crowns are used to restore and protect severely worn or damaged teeth. They’re also used after root canals. Crowns help prevent additional damage or decay, while veneers don’t provide this kind of protection.

Visit Our Dentists for Crowns or Veneers

Not sure which to pick for your teeth? Our dental team at Dental Wellness of Albany is ready to help you select the right solution! We offer dental veneers and crowns in Albany, NY, to improve smiles and help teeth look their best!

A young woman with long brown hair smiles, resting her face in her hands. She wears a white and black striped shirt and stands against a solid pink background.

Can Professional Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?

If you’ve been thinking about getting your teeth whitened, you may be wondering what happens if you have restorations, like crowns? Do they also get lighter as you go through treatment? Our dentists in Albany, NY, at Dental Wellness of Albany offer teeth whitening for patients who are suitable candidates, including those with crowns. Here’s more on what you can expect!

How Teeth Whitening Works

Professional whitening involves the use of strong bleaching agents that eliminate discolorations, including tough stains. This makes tooth enamel lighter, giving it a brighter appearance. It’s powerful enough to work on stains from years of coffee drinking or consuming other foods and drinks that give teeth a yellowish or brownish color.

Whitening and Dental Crowns

Does the bleaching agent have the same effect on restorations, like crowns and fillings? No, it’s designed to work on tooth surfaces only. That means having your teeth whitened results in whiter teeth, while also leaving restorations their original color. That gives you an uneven smile in terms of coloration.

What to Do If You Want Teeth Whitening

You don’t have to avoid professional teeth whitening in Albany, NY, if you want a brighter smile. If you have crowns or fillings, we can easily replace these after you finish your whitening treatment. That allows us to make sure your restorations match your natural teeth. Having those replaced beforehand means you can end up with mismatched coloring that affects your smile.

Visit Our Dentists for Professional Teeth Whitening!

Are you planning to make your smile brighter with help from our dentists? We offer professional teeth whitening in Albany, NY, at Dental Wellness of Albany, including in-office and at-home options for your convenience.

A dentist wearing gloves and a lab coat talks with a smiling patient in a dental clinic.

How Does a Dental Crown Help Your Tooth?

Do worn teeth show when you smile? Or do you struggle to chew due to damaged teeth? Our dentists in Albany, NY, often recommend dental crowns to improve these situations. We use crowns to restore teeth or improve their appearance, but how exactly do they help? Here’s a closer look at what a dental crown can do for a tooth.

Added Protection

A tooth that’s damaged or worn has a higher risk of becoming infected with bacteria. Crowns add a layer of protection that makes it harder for bacteria to invade. We may also recommend a crown after a root canal to keep infections from returning.

Increased Strength

Badly decayed or eroded teeth tend to be weak, making them more likely to crack or break. Dental crowns provide more strength to these teeth to lower the risk of damage.

Better Visual Appeal

Front teeth that are damaged show when you smile, making you self-conscious. A porcelain crown has a tooth-colored appearance that helps improve your smile.

Full Functionality

Tooth decay or damage can cause problems in your everyday life, such as discomfort when eating. Dental crowns made of metal make the affected teeth functional again so you can chew food without experiencing any issues.

Implant and Bridge Support

Are you planning to get dental implants or a dental bridge? In many cases, a dental crown is used as a replacement tooth.

Visit Our Dentists for Dental Crowns!

Are you tired of worn or damaged teeth affecting your day-to-day life? Make an appointment with our dentists at Dental Wellness of Albany to discuss getting dental crowns in Albany, NY. We offer different types of crowns to suit different situations.