Porcelain veneers or dental crowns?

If you have decided to invest in a beautiful smile one of the questions that you may have is which is the best way to go; dental crowns or porcelain veneers? As part of a smile makeover, you may also be wondering how many teeth you will need to have treated to achieve the results you’re after. Dr. Michael Han has a reputation for providing among the best porcelain veneers and dental crowns San Diego has available. He will take the time and answer all of your questions to ensure you take the best course of action to get your smile looking great again.

Pretty blonde woman smiling with white teeth and pink lipstick

What is the difference between a crown and a porcelain veneer?

Both crowns and veneers are restorations that address undesirable cosmetic flaws such as discoloration, decay and uneven teeth.

Dental crown

A porcelain crown is designed to cap or crown a tooth that has substantial damage. A crown surrounds the remaining core and restores both appearance and function. Crowns are often used to cap molars or to repair teeth damaged by bruxism (teeth grinding).

Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the treatment of choice to brighten dull and discolored teeth if the teeth have little to no structural damage. Additionally, veneers are used to even the length of teeth and to repair small chips. Veneers are very thin, about the thickness of a fingernail. They depend on the natural tooth structure for strength.

Dr. Han has thousands of hours of specialized training in restorations. For patients who need augmentation of their natural teeth, porcelain crowns and veneers are the treatment of choice. Whatever method of restoration is used, Dr. Han ensures the procedure also improves any functional problems that might exist. This not only contributes to overall health, proper function helps provide long-lasting cosmetic results. It can help restore the damage caused by pressure from a misaligned bite.

How many veneers do I need?

The answer to that question depends on whether or not you are happy with the color of your teeth and what other cosmetic concerns you have. If you are satisfied with the brightness of your teeth and they are in good condition then you can consider just the teeth that are visible when you smile. If you want to whiten your teeth, you will need to ensure your teeth are consistent in appearance no matter how wide you smile. This will likely require treating at least 8 to 10 teeth.

When in doubt, speak to a specialist

Producing a beautiful wide and white smile is one of Dr. Han’s specialties. The best place to start when considering a smile makeover is with an in-depth consultation with Dr. Han. He has three decades of experience as well as specialized training in all aspects of restorations and cosmetic dentistry. He can answer all of your questions and provide you with a preview of what your restoration will look like before you decide to go ahead.

For a consultation with Dr. Han, please call us at (858) 281-4121 or click here to schedule online.

Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Greetings

La Jolla Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry are committed to the health and safety of our patients, team members and communities. We want to assure you that we are being extra vigilant about your safety during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

We are posting this to keep you informed about the additional safety measures we are taking to protect you during this time.

We have reinforced our already comprehensive Infection Control procedures with our team members, which include frequent handwashing, use of clean masks and gloves, and disinfecting all surfaces in the treatment rooms and reception areas. We are also taking the following additional steps:

Increasing the frequency of thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces of the office

Instructing patients and team members to stay home if they’ve traveled to high-risk areas or if they have any COVID-19 related symptoms

Removing communal items that may be touched by multiple people throughout the day such as our coffee station and magazines

Maintaining a lower flow of patients to alleviate any traffic in the office and allow for social distancing

In closing, the safety of our patients, team members and community are paramount. As the coronavirus pandemic evolves, we will continue to actively monitor the local situation and follow CDC recommendations.

We are hopeful these proactive changes will contribute to helping our community get past the Coronavirus situation soon. We are committed to serving our community and are here to help.

Thank you for choosing La Jolla Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry as your family’s dental provider!