Maintaining good oral health and a smile you enjoy sharing go hand in hand when it comes to how you care for your teeth and gums. At times, however, you may need help beyond your regular daily brushing and flossing.
Whether you have a damaged tooth, discoloration, or an uneven smile, restorative and cosmetic solutions are available today. Veneers and crowns are two such solutions that can keep your teeth functioning properly and also brighten your smile. Which one will be right for you will depend on a number of factors.
What are Veneers vs. Crowns?
Veneers are fine, thin layers or shells of porcelain that bond to the surface of teeth and are often considered a cosmetic procedure. Each one can be crafted to fit the shape of the natural teeth and also the color, so they appear completely natural, and only you will know they are there. Veneers are also stain-resistant.
In contrast, crowns can be a restorative or cosmetic fix for one or more teeth. Dental crowns, instead of being shells, are tooth-shaped caps with natural coloring. They are positioned over damaged teeth for protection and to improve both function and appearance.
What are the Distinct Differences Between Veneers and Crowns?
While veneers and crowns are both options for restoring or improving the function of teeth as well as appearance, they do have distinct differences.
Type of Fit
A thin shell-like veneer is bonded to just the front surface of your tooth, while a crown is more of a cap that covers the entire natural tooth.
Appearance
Veneers, when in place, show less gum margins than crowns. This effect is due to the thickness of the crowns. Both, however, can improve your smile.
Procedure Type
For veneers, your dentist will start by slightly buffing the tooth and taking a mold. The veneer is then custom-made in the dental lab and, once available, will be bonded to the front surface of the tooth. Traditional veneers require a longer process, but today you have the option of going with Lumineers. Lifetime Dental Health offers these and will have you smiling again within two visits to our office.
The procedure for traditional crowns is more involved, often coinciding with the need for root canal therapy. To save your natural tooth, the damaged parts are removed or filed away, and your dentist may need to rebuild sections to accommodate a crown.
After dental impressions are made, you’ll receive a temporary cap for the tooth while the dental lab makes your new crown. Once ready, you will return, and your dentist will adjust the fit and cement the crown in place.
Today, fortunately, you also have access to CEREC crowns, which are made of ceramic and may be installed within your mouth in just one dental visit. The crown will be designed through 3D modeling, usually right there in the dentist’s office.
Durability
Both veneers and crowns can last for long periods of time as long as you make good dental hygiene a habit and not an afterthought. However, veneers consist of such thin material that you may need to replace them within a few years in some instances. Crowns can last much longer and may or may not need replacement during your lifetime.
Which is More Preferable – Veneers or Crowns?
When it comes to whether veneers or crowns are more preferable, much will depend on the health of the tooth and gums and your individual preferences.
If your teeth are mostly healthy but you just want to improve your smile, veneers are a great option. They can improve the coloring across teeth in the smile zone and also adjust the length or width of a tooth to create a more even appearance.
Both veneers and crowns can be potential solutions for those experiencing any of the following:
Stained or discolored teeth
Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
Gaps between teeth
Crooked teeth
Irregularly shaped teeth
Excessive tooth wear/enamel erosion
While you may have a choice between these two options, there are times when one will be preferable to the other. Crowns, in particular, are distinctive solutions for certain situations where veneers will be unable to help. These situations include damaged and weakened teeth due to large cavities or other dental issues and injuries such as experienced in falls or while participating in sports.
In addition, crowns provide protection for the natural tooth and a stable solution for teeth with root canals.
Discover Whether Veneers or Crowns are Right for You at Lifetime Dental Health
Today you have options when it comes to how to maintain both your oral health and a confident smile. Our team here at Lifetime Dental Health can help you determine if veneers or crowns are the better choice for your individual needs and preferences and also provide other dental services as required. Find out more about each one or schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard Barry today.
Creating a smile you love to share while also maintaining good oral health often requires the help of dental solutions. Two of these, in particular, are veneers and crowns. Both of these excel at improving the appearance and function of your teeth but are essentially two very different treatments.
When it comes to which one to choose, much will depend on your own personal preferences, the current state of your teeth, and other factors that your dentist will discuss with you. Meanwhile, here is what you need to know about how they are similar, how they are different, and when one may be better than the other.
What are Veneers?
Porcelain Veneers are customized, thin shells that cover the surface of your tooth. They are shaped and molded in such a way that matches with each of your natural teeth.
Veneers are often recommended to improve your smile, particularly if your teeth are discolored, chipped, broken, crooked, misshapen, or gapped. They mask your natural teeth, enhancing their appearance, and are stain-resistant and durable.
This treatment is a non-invasive cosmetic dentistry option that leaves the majority of the tooth intact. To be a candidate for a veneer, however, your tooth must still have enough existing tooth enamel to accommodate it.
The process involves etching off a small portion of the surface tooth enamel to provide for a better bonding of the veneer to the tooth. The dentist will then adhere a veneer to each tooth chosen to receive the treatment and allow it to harden with the use of an ultraviolet lamp.
What are Crowns?
Dental crowns are larger, tooth-shaped caps designed to cover areas of a tooth that are damaged and fit all the way to the gumline, sealing it underneath. They are normally considered a restorative solution but can also be considered a cosmetic one under certain circumstances.
Crowns are a common treatment for restoring damaged teeth, such as those with cracks, fractures, or decay. They also are a good solution for teeth with large fillings or following a root canal, which can leave the tooth increasingly brittle. In other words, the tooth needs the crown to continue functioning properly. Without it, the tooth will deteriorate and most likely need to be extracted at some point.
The process involves filing down a tooth first. For example, if the tooth suffers decay build-up, your dentist will need to remove the decayed parts and maybe even need to rebuild portions of the tooth. This is so it can properly support the new crown.
Your dentist then makes an impression of your tooth to make a mold, which is sent to a dental lab to create your permanent crown. The new crown will then be fitted over your tooth and cemented into place.
Materials used to mold dental crowns include porcelain, an all-metal alloy, or porcelain fused to a metal alloy (PFM). Another advanced option today is CEREC crowns, which can often be made and placed in your mouth the same day. Crafted out of ceramic, these crowns look natural and are highly resilient.
Are Veneers Better than Crowns?
Understanding the similarities and differences between the two options can help you make the right decision for your particular circumstances.
Veneers and crowns both improve the appearance and function of your teeth, but in different ways. Veneers adhere only to the front surfaces of teeth and fall slightly over the edges. They are aesthetically pleasing in color and shape and show less gum margin. Veneers do not, however, provide much reinforcement to the tooth. Crowns, on the other hand, cover the complete tooth and protect it from further damage.
Veneers and crowns are designed to match the color of your natural teeth to give you a more even smile. The one exception to this is if you choose all-metal crowns.
Care is also similar, requiring brushing and flossing daily and scheduling regular dental cleanings and exams. During these exams, your dentist may take x-rays of the dental work to ensure that the tooth underneath remains in good condition.
When are veneers better than crowns?
Porcelain veneers are better choices than crowns when:
You are seeking a purely cosmetic solution, and aesthetics are your primary focus.
Your tooth is mostly intact, potentially only requiring a small shape correction.
You want a complete smile makeover.
Your teeth are strong but have visible flaws such as discoloration, slight chips or cracks, gaps, or non-matching shapes and sizes.
You do not want to undergo teeth whitening treatment or wear braces to correct an issue.
When are crowns better than veneers?
Dental crowns are typically the better choice in the following circumstances:
A tooth is damaged.
The tooth has a large filling.
The tooth has undergone a root canal which has left it weak or brittle.
Tooth enamel is so worn down that the tooth cannot handle daily wear and tear.
There is a need to replace a weak, missing, or broken tooth.
You want more tooth support while also obtaining a more attractive smile.
Whether you need a cosmetic solution to improve your smile or a restorative one to ensure your teeth stay supported and functional, Dr. Richard Barry and his team at Lifetime Dental can provide you with options and recommendations. Contact our office in Columbus today and schedule a consultation, cleaning, or dental exam.
When it comes to maintaining your smile and a healthy mouth overall, a missing tooth can interfere in more ways than one. Not only will it affect your look and potentially lower your confidence, causing you to smile less often, but it can also affect the surrounding teeth and their functionality.
Essentially, a missing tooth can lead to a weakening of the mouth structure, creating difficulties in the way you eat and speak. The remaining adjacent teeth often begin to shift overtime into the empty space, and this shifting can severely weaken your bite and leave you with aching jaws, headaches, and more.
There is a beneficial solution for these missing teeth, however, and it is in the form of a dental bridge. If you’re wondering what exactly a dental bridge is, and how many teeth it can replace, we answer these questions and more below.
What Exactly is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is essentially a synthetic (artificial) tooth attached to the adjacent teeth. These adjacent teeth serve as support for the artificial tooth, securing it in place so you can return to smiling confidently and also prevent shifting and preserve your bite.
The artificial tooth itself can be made of different materials, such as ceramic or porcelain bonded to a metal alloy. The supporting teeth on each side can be your natural teeth but are often crowns themselves.
Your dentist will use a bonding element or cement to hold the dental bridge in place, bridging the gap between teeth. Then, once the dental bridge is secured, you can return to eating, speaking, and smiling with ease and confidence.
The benefits of a dental bridge, besides the filling in of an empty space and preventing teeth from shifting, are that it can re-adjust an already affected bite and help maintain the natural shape of your face. It can also limit the risk of developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
How Many Teeth Can a Dental Bridge Replace?
A dental bridge effectively restores a gap of one missing tooth but more commonly serves as a solution to replacing two, three, or four teeth in a row.
Any more than four teeth and the stability of the dental bridge is threatened, making it less efficient or dependable. One potential way around this is to first start with dental implants on the stabilizing teeth on each end. These implants are a good solution when a person’s natural teeth are not strong enough to hold the dental bridge in place.
To know what will work for you, however, start by consulting with your dentist to learn about the possibilities and what steps you’ll need to take to ensure a dental bridge will serve your best interests.
How Do You Take Care of a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge doesn’t require removal for cleaning, and you need not worry about it slipping, which is often the case with dentures. It will, however, need replacing at some point, usually between 5-15 years, depending on your dental hygiene practices.
Meanwhile, taking care of your dental bridge is similar to taking care of your natural teeth. Once it is secured in place, you can keep it looking and functioning at its best by following these steps.
Brush twice per day using a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove tartar and plaque that can build up along the gum line and surrounding teeth.
Floss between your natural teeth, or crowns, each day, keeping them healthy so they can continue to support the dental bridge efficiently.
Regularly clean out the area underneath the dental bridge. Since the bridge does not connect all the way down into your gum, the resulting gap can trap food particles or other mouth debris. Try using dental picks or other recommended implements to ensure you can reach the area adequately.
Schedule bi-annual dental appointments so your dentist can examine the dental bridge and supporting teeth, and also conduct a thorough cleaning of the entire area.
Other precautions you can take to maintain the life of a dental bridge is to avoid biting down on or chewing hard objects, such as ice, candy, and nuts. While dental bridges consist of strong and durable materials, like natural teeth, they can still fracture under extreme pressure.
Contact Lifetime Dental Health Today to Find Out More About Dental Bridges
When it comes to choosing the best solutions for missing teeth, dental bridges are high up on the list. With them, you can not only restore a confident smile but also protect and improve the functionality of your bite and restore normal eating and speaking abilities.
The team at Lifetime Dental Health proudly offers dental bridges for our patients to restore missing teeth and help them get back to enjoying life. Contact our Columbus office today to learn more and find out how dental bridges can work for you.
With the ever-advancing improvements and technology in cosmetic dentistry today, you have more options than ever to help create that perfect smile.
One such option to help make this a reality is dental veneers, a solution for both enhancing your appearance and protecting or strengthening your natural teeth.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are extremely thin, shell-like covers made of porcelain or resin that bond to the top or surface of a tooth. Depending on which material you choose, the cosmetic dentistry procedure can take as little as one day or up to two weeks to complete.
Composite resin is similar in material to that used in fillings and dental bonding. It’s a soft, malleable material that your dentist can easily work with to mold and shape the veneer to bond to your tooth’s surface. Prior to adhering, your dentist will slightly etch the tooth’s surface, so the bonding can occur more efficiently.
Porcelain dental veneers bond similarly to the tooth surface but with the added characteristic of appearing more like your natural teeth, with light reflecting in similar ways. For patients looking for a more aesthetic solution, especially for front teeth, the porcelain material for veneers is recommended.
With these porcelain veneers, the placement process is a little more complex, however, and takes longer. After your dentist prepares the surface of the teeth, you’ll need to wear temporary tooth covers while a dental laboratory creates the thin shells for long-term bonding.
Overall, dental veneers are long-lasting for up to a decade or more, which makes them a durable option for your dental needs.
What Can Dental Veneers Do for Your Teeth?
When wondering whether veneers are the right solution for you, it’s important to know what exactly they can do for your teeth. Essentially, dental veneers are designed to correct various dental issues and also enhance the teeth’ appearance.
More specifically, dental veneers can do the following.
Repair Damaged Teeth
Dental veneers can serve as a repair solution to chipped, cracked, or even broken teeth. When enough of the natural tooth remains, placement of a veneer can help repair the damaged tooth and match its shape and size to your natural teeth.
Cover Deep Discolorations and Stains
When it comes to tooth discolorations or stains, teeth whitening solutions don’t always provide the results you want or need. A better solution in these cases is dental veneers.
Uneven coloring or severe discoloration deep within the tooth itself can be corrected with these shell-like coverings and let you enjoy freely laughing and smiling in public again.
Also, what makes dental veneers such a good solution is that they can closely match the color of your natural teeth.
Reshape or Resize Teeth
Different shapes or sizes of teeth not only affect the appearance of your smile but also your chewing abilities.
Dental veneers can even out your teeth and your smile by correcting any misshapen teeth, including teeth that become too pointed or are irregular in shape as compared to the surrounding teeth. Veneers can also resize teeth that are smaller than the others.
Fill in Gaps
A small gap between your teeth, also known as diastema, can affect either the upper or lower teeth and usually occurs in the front. If left alone, many times, these gaps can cause movement or shifting of teeth.
When this happens, your teeth may become misaligned and result in the development of a bad bite. Your dentist can use the dental veneers to resize or reshape the corresponding teeth and, as a result, fill in these gaps.
Treat Tooth Enamel Loss
While tooth enamel is a tough substance, it is often worn away as a result of brushing teeth too hard, consuming a diet high in acidic foods, or by suffering with acid reflux disease. Since enamel can’t grow back, veneers offer a solution for maintaining the strength of your teeth.
Essentially dental veneers are here to help improve the overall appearance of your teeth, enhance your smile, and correct certain types of problems that can interfere with your oral health. They also allow you to keep your natural teeth while still creating a smile you love to share.
Learn More About Dental Veneers at Lifetime Dental Health in Columbus
Dental veneers are an ideal solution for many dental issues experienced by our patients here at Lifetime Dental in Columbus. If you’re looking for beneficial ways to enhance your smile and your overall dental health, contact Dr. Richard Barry and his team to schedule a consultation. We will help you determine if dental veneers are the right solution for you.
The appearance of brown spots on someone’s teeth is very common. While most people refer to such irregular colored patches on one’s teeth as spots, these brown spots can also appear as brown lines or irregular, mottled areas.
Brown spots on teeth can range in appearance from yellowish light brown to dark brown. Discoloration, while always astray from white or white-yellow, is never uniform. Sometimes the spots might be closer to the color of chocolate or coffee, and in certain cases, they can look dark brown or nearly black.
Many people have experienced this discoloration of the teeth, and it is not the fault of the person experiencing discoloration, however, it can indicate damage or tooth disease. Therefore, seeking out a dentist for professional advice is recommended.
Brown spots might also be referred to as “stains” on teeth. But not to fear, stains are not always permanent when referring to dental care. In many situations, discoloration and brown spots can be treated.
Causes of Brown Spots on Teeth
There are many factors that can lead to the discoloration of the teeth.
Food/drink consumption. Enjoying dark-colored, sugary, or starchy foods is part of life’s joys. Occasionally, consuming such foods can cause staining of the enamel. Drinking excessive coffee, tea, soda or wine can cause brown spots to appear. Foods high in sugar, such as candy or soda, and foods high in starch, such as potatoes and pasta, can also stain or chip away at the enamel. Dark berries can stain teeth and highly acidic citric juices might also damage the enamel on teeth.
Tartar build up. Plaque, or tartar, is a build-up of food particles, bacteria, and saliva in the mouth. While this build up is normal, it is typically reduced through brushing one’s teeth and flossing. These important daily habits prevent excessive tartar build up. When plaque is not continuously removed via oral hygiene, tartar can cause brown spots and discoloration. Controlling tartar buildup is more challenging if someone is having hormonal changes (like in pregnancy), has severe illness, is bedridden, has diabetes, or has AIDS.
Tooth decay. When a person is unable to prevent tartar buildup or obtains a tooth infection, tooth decay can occur. This is the process of enamel and tooth breakdown by acid-producing bacteria. Such decay can lead to brown spots and should immediately be evaluated by a dentist to prevent further damage or worse infection.
Fluorosis. Excessive fluoride can sometimes lead to brown spots or streaks on the teeth, especially in children who are under 8 years old. This discoloration is most often mild and treatable.
Tobacco products. All products containing tobacco or nicotine can lead to discoloration of the teeth. Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, using pipe tobacco, or smoking cigars can lead to particle build-up on the teeth that can cause brown spots.
Enamel hypoplasia. Some people naturally have less enamel protection than others, which is a condition called enamel hypoplasia. A deficiency in calcium, premature birth or birth injury, exposure to toxins, exposure to viruses, malnutrition, or genetics can lead to enamel hypoplasia. If a person lacks enamel, it is easier to obtain brown spots.
Medications. Occasionally, antibiotics, specifically Tetracycline, can lead to brown spots on the teeth. Antibiotics should never be stopped abruptly and should always be finished to their full course unless an allergy is discovered. Report any medication use to your dentist, and if a medication that could cause brown spots is reported, treatment for tooth discoloration can be arranged.
Aging. As people age, it is natural for teeth enamel to age, too. Such aging can lead to yellowing, and even browning of spots on the teeth. This is a harmless cause but can be treated.
Celiac disease or other gastrointestinal issues. Some gastrointestinal deficiencies and celiac disease can cause tooth decay or damaged enamel, also potentially leading to brown spots on teeth.
Treatments for Brown Spots on Teeth
At-home Treatments
Over-the-counter whitening strips or sticks. Be careful not to overuse whitening products because they might strip enamel when overused
LED Whitening kits that use LED lights to help whiten teeth
Daily brushing and flossing of one’s teeth. This is enhanced by using whitening toothpaste and regularly replacing one’s toothbrush
Brush one’s teeth every few days with a mixture of baking soda and water, on top of regular brushing and flossing routine
Professional Treatments
Sealing and composite bonding of one’s tooth enamel
The patients at Lifetime Dental Health in Columbus, OH are welcomed at any time for the above-mentioned professional teeth whitening or stain removal treatments.
Reasons to Seek Professional Treatment
Some patients might choose to seek out professional treatment for the benefits of having experts clean or remove stains from their teeth. The dental team at Lifetime Dental Health enjoys performing this smile-restoring task for our patients.
In other cases, it is important for patients to book an appointment to evaluate brown spots that are accompanied by tooth pain or sensitivity.
While brown spots are often harmless, if a person develops any of the below symptoms, they should consider seeking out dental care. These symptoms might be a sign of a tooth infection or tooth decay:
Tooth pain
Tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold foods
Malodorous or unpleasant breath
Gum irritation, sensitivity, or pain
Bleeding gums
Canker or cold sores
Mouth ulcers
Dry mouth
If you would like professional treatment of teeth discoloration, or believe you might have a tooth infection,contact us here at Lifetime Dental Health. Our team will happily assess any brown spots or answer questions about your dental health at a dental clinic appointment.
Dental hygiene is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of our overall health. Nearly 180 million Americans are missing one tooth, and an estimated 40 million are missing all of their teeth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. There are many things to be done for damaged or missing teeth, including dental implants. Below you will learn more about what could prevent you from getting a dental implant.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant acts as an orthodontic anchor and is made of titanium that connects to the jaw or skull to support a dental prosthetic, such as a denture, bridge, or crown.
The process in which the titanium implant forms a bond to the bone is called osseointegration. The dental implant is placed first, allowing a moderate amount of time for healing and osseointegration to occur before a prosthetic is added.
What Disqualifies Me as a Candidate for a Dental Implant?
Dental implants require a certain level of health to be maintained by the recipient. Patients are often told they are not a candidate for dental implants for several reasons such as:
Smoking
Smoking increases a patient’s risk of dental implant failure. If a patient is a smoker, their dental professional will often give them a time frame that they will need to stop smoking to be considered for a dental implant.
Gum disease
Gum disease often goes untreated for long periods, destroying our healthy gingiva, the tooth itself, and even the bone. Gum disease must be successfully treated before a dentist considering approving a dental implant
Poor overall health
Receiving one or more dental implants is considered a surgical procedure requiring incisions and sutures. If you as a patient are not healthy enough to undergo an operation, you may be denied the procedure.
Uncontrolled diabetes
Diabetes not only affects the blood sugar of a patient, but it is a systemic disease affecting essentially all parts of the human body. A patient with diabetes must receive treatment to get their diabetes under control before they are deemed safe to receive a dental implant.
Radiation therapy
A patient currently receiving, or who has recently received, radiation therapy near the face or neck may be denied dental implant surgery due to an increased risk to the patient.
Medication therapy
Medications, such as blood thinners or steroids, increase the patient’s risk during a dental implant procedure deeming it unsafe for the patient. A dentist may recommend the patient stop taking their current medications, if approved by their primary care physician, for a certain length of time before being approved for a dental implant.
Pregnancy
Surgery is not recommended in pregnant females unless medically necessary. It is recommended to wait until after pregnancy to receive a dental implant.
Low bone density
Many dentists will not perform dental implants if they do not believe there is enough bone for the implant to attach to. Low bone density is the number one reason that patients are denied dental implant surgery. The dental implant must osseointegrate to the bone before a prosthetic being placed, however, when there is not enough bone density available within your jaw the implant cannot attach securely.
Rather than approve you for a surgery that is not medically safe for you, or that is beyond the skill level of the dentist of choice, they will often deem you a bad candidate. You may seek out a second opinion from a more highly trained professional.
A highly skilled, and properly trained dentist may recommend a bone graft to be considered a candidate for a dental implant. A bone graft replaces missing bone in your jaw with bone tissue from either the chin, hip, or shin, to allow new bone to grow.
A bone graft, depending on the severity, requires several weeks of healing prior to the start of a dental implant procedure. As a bone graft patient, you may require several appointments to ensure proper bone density once a graft is completed before being approved to receive a dental implant. Again, the implant may take several weeks to heal before receiving the prosthetic whether that be a crown, bridge, implant, or anchor for your orthodontic treatment.
Youth
Young patients, whose bones have not fully developed, are considered at risk for a dental implant. A dentist will not perform a dental implant procedure on a patient whose jaw is still growing. You must be an adult with a fully developed bone structure.
Considerations for a Dental Implant
To be considered for a dental implant procedure, there are many things your dentist will take into consideration. First and foremost, you must be missing one or more teeth. Your dentist will require that you not smoke or drink for a set number of days or weeks prior to the procedure to ensure there is no risk associated.
Your dentist will evaluate your bone density to ensure your jaw bone is a strong candidate to take on and be able to hold the implant securely in place. Overall, a good candidate for a dental implant is overall healthy, an adult, and has good bone density.
Creating a smile you love to share while also maintaining good oral health often requires the help of dental solutions. Two of these, in particular, are veneers and crowns. Both of these excel at improving the appearance and function of your teeth but are essentially two very different treatments.
mouth overall, a missing tooth can interfere in more ways than one. Not only will it affect your look and potentially lower your confidence, causing you to smile less often, but it can also affect the surrounding teeth and their functionality.
in cosmetic dentistry today, you have more options than ever to help create that perfect smile. 
very common. While most people refer to such irregular colored patches on one’s teeth as spots, these brown spots can also appear as brown lines or irregular, mottled areas. 
Nearly 180 million Americans are missing one tooth, and an estimated 40 million are missing all of their teeth, according to the