February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a…
The Difference Between Dental Crowns and Porcelain Veneers
Both dental crowns and porcelain veneers are forms of cosmetic and restorative dentistry and can disguise unsightly issues with your teeth. Dental veneers are meant for the front of a damaged tooth, whereas dental crowns are meant for the crown of the tooth, or the part of the tooth that is above the gum line. Dental crowns add a bit of stability to your damaged tooth, while veneers are more cosmetic in nature.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin pieces of ceramic laminate that are placed over the front of your tooth. In some instances, a very small fraction of your enamel will need to be shaved off in order to ensure that the veneer does not stick out or look different than the rest of your teeth. Because the veneer only affects the front of your tooth, it is not applicable in situations where the crown is no longer viable. Veneers are typically used to reshape a tooth, cover up a crack, eliminate stains, or make a misaligned set of teeth look straight.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are a more substantial cosmetic dental procedure as they help the entire surface of the tooth recover. Crowns are typically made from porcelain, but are also available in metal and gold. Porcelain is the typical choice because it mimics the appearance of your other teeth, making it less obvious that you have restorations in your mouth. Dental crowns are often used in the case of severely cracked teeth, tooth decay, infection, or after a root canal. Dental crowns basically leave the root of your tooth intact while replacing the rest of the tooth with the crown. The crown will be durable, but care should still be taken when chewing hard foods as it will not be as stable as your natural teeth.
Dental veneers and dental crowns are both effective ways to restore the appearance of your teeth. The reason for the damage will determine what type of restoration you need. The procedure to place a dental crown is more invasive than dental veneers, but it also offers more benefits in the long run. Both procedures are done in multiple steps as we need to create a mold of your mouth and have the perfect veneer or crown made to fit your mouth perfectly as well as to mimic the appearance of your surrounding teeth.
Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.