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.
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.
You might have heard the term CEREC crowns from someone who has just been to the dentist — or even from your own dentist — without knowing what the name might mean. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, and this innovative approach to crowns is revolutionizing dentistry. The next time you need a crown from your dentist, CEREC is likely to be a convenient and effective solution.
Why are CEREC crowns beneficial?
CEREC crowns are extremely beneficial for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the ease in which the crown can be made. In a single visit to the dentist’s office, you can have a CEREC crown completed. Skip the wait and bother of a traditional crown with one simple trip to the dentist.
CEREC crowns are just as durable as traditional crowns — with the added benefit of looking much more natural than a metal crown. Your smile will still look like you with a CEREC crown, and you can go back to your regular routine as soon as you leave the dentist’s office with your new CEREC crown.
CEREC crowns are also cost-effective. They’re a convenient and affordable option, saving you time and money on appointment costs and scheduling, and time away from work.
What are the pros of CEREC crowns?
One of the biggest reasons why CEREC crowns are a great choice is the convenience. Traditional dental crowns are a much more involved process — a process that could take weeks to complete. This process includes taking a putty mold of your teeth, sending the impression away for a lab to make a crown, and leaving you with a resin temporary crown in the meantime. The resin crown might not be a perfect fit, leaving you with discomfort. Plus, you might have to forego certain food items that you normally enjoy eating because of the risk of the temporary crown falling off. When your new crown is ready, you might still run the risk of it not fitting perfectly — necessitating additional delays.
With CEREC crowns, the fit is always perfect because of the special, highly advanced process and technology that we use. The process also takes just a single visit. You’ll receive your permanent CEREC crown on the same day of your visit — perfect for people on the go who need dental solutions fast. In the course of a morning or afternoon, you’ll be on your way with your brand new CEREC crown — and no one will be able to tell the difference in your smile.
Once the machine is finished making the CEREC crown, the dentist will use glue to adhere it to your tooth.
What can I expect when receiving CEREC crowns?
CEREC crowns have “chairside” in the name because of how fast and efficient the crowns are to receive — everything happens right beside your chair, all in the same visit. In some cases, the entire procedure takes less than an hour. Unlike traditional crowns, the process is easy, minimally invasive, and clean.
You won’t receive any injections because the process isn’t painful. And CEREC crowns look like natural teeth — they’re often indistinguishable from your regular smile and from the damaged tooth that needed to be repaired. You won’t have to endure the putty mold to take the impression of your damaged tooth, and you won’t need the inconvenience and discomfort of a temporary crown while your crown is made offsite.
During the process of receiving a CEREC crown, the dentist will first prepare your tooth. However, less preparation is required than with a traditional crown, meaning that you will be more comfortable during the process. Then, the dentist uses a special camera to gather images of your tooth. These images will be used in the design of your new CEREC crown. The dentist makes sure that everything that made your tooth unique is included, including certain ridges, indentations, and more. While you are still in the office, a specialized milling machine that utilizes computer-aided designing and manufacturing creates your crown from ceramic. It’s designed to be a perfect match to the tooth that needed repairing — right down to the color. Even your closest friends and family won’t be able to tell that you’ve had a crown.
What is Lifetime Dental Health’s experience with CEREC crowns?
Here at Lifetime Dental Health, we are dedicated to making sure that we incorporate the latest in dental technology to our practice so that we can offer our patients the best range of options for their dental care. We have plenty of experience with CEREC crowns, and can confidently recommend this service to patients who might be candidates for it. We are experts when it comes to CEREC crowns, and can make your own customized crown in a single setting and send you on your way.
Questions about CEREC crowns and whether they might be right for you? Call us today at (614) 333-9442 — we’d be happy to answer them!
Crowns, also known as caps, have been around for decades serving as a solution for cracked, chipped, broken or fragile teeth. Crowns are a type of tooth covering that fits over the entire tooth, including the chewing surface. They’re an effective way to protect and strengthen a tooth that has become weakened or has undergone dental trauma. Crowns also fit over and protect teeth that have had a root canal. Crowns can even make an excellent cosmetic treatment for discolored teeth that are too severely stained or malformed to be whitened or bonded. We prefer to use CEREC Same-Day Crowns.
Getting a traditional dental crown takes several visits to the dentist. First, your dentist would prepare the tooth and take impressions. Those impressions would be sent to a lab where they’d form the basis of a permanent crown. In the meantime, you’d wear a temporary crown before finally having the permanent crown placed. There are a lot of steps involved in getting a traditional crown, so it’s not a one-visit procedure. It can take weeks, even months, before you’re finally finished with the traditional method of getting a crown.
What is CEREC technology?
CEREC technology adds convenience, precision, and comfort to the process of getting a crown. CEREC (Ceramic Restoration, or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) is an integrated 3D scanning and milling system that lets you get a dental crown in one visit. Same-day crowns are created by CEREC and uses computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to make your crown in one day. The convenience of CEREC is simply unparalleled.
The CEREC system digitally scans your tooth, using a special intraoral camera to create a refined digital impression that’s sent to a milling machine. The digital image is transferred to the milling machine, which gets to work making your crown. The CEREC milling machine that forms your crown from a single block of tooth-colored ceramic is phenomenally precise, capturing every last detail that needs to be replicated for a perfect fit.
All the equipment, from the scanner to the milling machine, is right there in the same office, where any adjustments required can be made by your dentist immediately. Your crown is custom-fitted for your needs and fabricated in one place. Your dentist will make all the fine adjustments in that same visit, including cementing the crown in place and getting you on your way.
What are the benefits of CEREC? Are there drawbacks?
The main benefits of CEREC Same-Day Crowns are convenience and time saved for patients. Getting a crown fitted and placed in a single day, in a single visit, is light-years ahead of the traditional method. In the more traditional method of crown placement, you would need at least two visits to have a crown created and placed. It could take weeks or longer for a crown to be perfectly fitted to your needs, where CEREC needs only one day.
Traditional crowns require you to wear a temporary crown between the initial and final visits, but you won’t have to deal with temporary crowns with CEREC. The crown you get is the first and final crown.
While there are no major drawbacks to the CEREC system, traditional metal crowns can be a better choice in cases where the tooth’s roots are very fragile and need extensive reinforcement.
How long do CEREC crowns last?
CEREC crowns are made from a single block of high-density porcelain and last from 10 to 15 years. They can last far longer than that, but habits like tooth grinding can shorten their effective lifespans.
Who can have CEREC crowns?
In most situations where a traditional crown is called for, a CEREC crown can be used. In other words, most patients are good candidates for CEREC crowns. They can strengthen brittle or fragile teeth, as well as teeth that have been weakened by large amalgam fillings.
If you’re looking for a same-day restoration solution, CEREC crowns are the way to go. The accuracy of the restoration combined with the convenience of getting the crown placed in one visit is an unbeatable combination.
Services of cosmetic dentistry have revolutionized the concept of a beautiful and bright smile over time. Now, we see unlimited options for people to preserve their beautiful smiles. One of the many procedures is dental crowning. If you accidentally broke a tooth and are now concerned about it, we might have a solution for you.
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are also called dental caps. They serve as the covering around the teeth to restore them and improve their appearance. They are aimed to strengthen the tooth and keep the tooth in its place and shape. Furthermore, it is ensured that they perform their functions as efficiently as the original teeth did. Dental crowns are prosthetic devices and cover the damaged tooth or dental implants.
How do dental crowns work?
Dental crowns are perfect for chipped or damaged teeth. The crown essentially is a cap that mimics the actual tooth. By having this cap on top of the original tooth which had been damaged, the imperfection can be hidden. With the crown sitting on top of the original tooth, it seems the tooth is perfectly shaped.
The crown is created to match the tooth it is supposed to cover. It is fixed in a way that the natural tooth will not be visible at all. So, the crown reaches till the gum line and perfectly encases the original tooth underneath.
Sometimes crowns are added on top of teeth that have undergone filling. This is particularly the case with children as there is a higher chance that the filling will come out. With a crown on top, the filling is safe and protected and remains intact.
What materials are dental crowns made of?
Dental crowns are made up of a variety of materials. Every patient has different requirements and preferences, so the patient and doctor work together to determine what material will be used. Most common materials used in the manufacture of dental crowns are metal alloys and resins. Metal alloy crowns are made typically of gold blended with silver, copper, palladium, and titanium
Metal crowns are sometimes fused with porcelain material. A thin layer of porcelain covers the metal alloy. Porcelain layer merges with the tooth. These are ideal when the dentist intends to match the color of your dental crown with the rest of the teeth.
Metal-free crowns are also available now for those patients where metal alloys are contraindicated. They are formed of materials like zirconia, porcelain, alumina, and silica. They are mostly inert materials, and a minimum number of allergic reactions has been reported with the use of metal-free crowns.
How do they improve the smile?
Dental crowns are great to hide the imperfections you may have in your teeth. These include chipped or broken teeth and even cavities. With a custom-made tooth covering, which suits the shape of your actual tooth entirely and is totally flaw-free, you can get the smile of your dreams.
Having a set of perfectly shaped and spaced pearly whites give you a perfect smile. Teeth generally undergo wear and tear over the course of your life. They may become worn down. With dental crowns covering the years of damage, your smile appears perfect. It is not just your smile. Crowns add and restore the structure to your mouth, meaning you don’t need to flash your teeth to know that your smile has improved.
The impact is so subtle and natural that it gives the person getting the crowns a healthy appearance without much effort. It is like getting a facelift without actually going under the knife.Lifetime Dental can help you restore that beautiful smile with their same-day dental crown procedure.
How long my dental crowns can last?
The longevity of dental crowns depends upon many subjective factors. The average lifespan of dental crowns is from 10 years to 20 years. However, the patient’s general condition, oral hygiene routine, and material used in the composition of crowns are some factors that can affect the lifespan of the dental crowns. To ensure longevity, it is advised to have a regular and good oral hygiene.
When and how are dental crowns removed?
In some conditions, removal of dental crowns becomes necessary. Some of the reasons for which crown removal becomes necessary are:
Broken and decayed crowns
To treat the underneath tooth
Removal of necrotic tooth pulp
Different methods are conservative, semi-conservative, or destructive for the removal of dental caps. Ultrasonic removal is one of the popular techniques of dental crown removal. Forceps and crown retractors are used conventionally. Temporary crowns are easily removable, whereas the removal of permanent crowns needs expert hands and experience.
Are there any complications associated with dental crowns and how are they managed?
Crowns are usually not associated with any complications or problems. But there may be mild to moderate discomfort in the initial days. After a few days, this resolves by itself as the patient gets accustomed to the dental caps while eating, drinking, smiling, etc. Some patients may complain of sensitivity after the installation of dental crowns. Patients usually suffer from heat and cold sensitivity. In these circumstances, it is advised to use toothpaste which works against sensitivity. If the problem persists, call your dentist for your concern. Chipping or loosening of a crown can also happen if the crown is not fit properly. Allergic reaction to the crown material has also been noticed in some patients, and they must get their crowns removed in severe cases.
Are you considering getting Dental Crowns? Call or visit our practice 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.
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. 
You might have heard the term 
What are the pros of CEREC crowns?
