Help with Deciding Between Dental Crowns or Dental Bonding

General and cosmetic dentists use dental bonding and dental crowns to restore the health or look of their patients’ teeth. A veneer and crown are similar in that they are both dental restorations. The difference between the two types of restoration is the focus of this article.

Comparing dental crowns and veneers

In dentistry, there are two definitions of the term ‘crown.’ The first refers to the visible part of the natural tooth. Then there is the dental crown, a restoration that looks exactly like the visible part of the natural tooth. A crown is designed to encase a natural tooth, which is why crowns also go by the term ‘dental caps.’

Then there is dental bonding, a tooth-colored putty that dentists apply directly onto teeth. Dental bonding works a lot like plaster or concrete. Dentists use this type of restoration to correct minor or moderate dental or cosmetic problems.

Crowns, their uses and their benefits

Dental caps cover the visible part of a natural tooth, with several benefits. For one, crowns reinforce the structure of teeth with severe damage due to injury or decay. They also restore the shape and color of problem teeth.

There is a third application of the dental cap: It can replace a missing tooth. A dentist will use a dental implant to anchor a crown to the jaw. This implant-supported crown can in turn support a larger prosthetic, like a bridge or partial denture. 

Installing a dental crown may take one or two dental appointments. While each patient may need a custom treatment plan, the process ultimately comes down to the following steps:

• The dentist starts by numbing the patient’s tooth
• They go on to remove any infection or damaged dental tissue
• Next, they file away a layer of enamel to make room for the crown
• They take an impression of the prepared tooth and use this as a blueprint to create a crown that fits perfectly
• The dentist may fabricate the crown in-house, or have a dental lab create the dental crown based on the mold
• Once the crown is ready, the dentist fits it over the prepared tooth with the use of dental cement

In cases where the dentist has to wait for a dental lab to fabricate the crown, they will send their patient home with a temporary cover for the tooth.

Dental bonding, how it works and its uses

In contrast, dental bonding corrects relatively small dental problems like cavities and moderate tooth decay. A cosmetic dentist will also use bonding to hide small chips and fill small fractures. For bigger dental issues, the dentist will choose a different type of restoration. They may choose an onlay, a veneer, an overlay or even a dental cap.

Perfect your smile with a quick, simple procedure

A nice smile does wonders for your confidence while helping you to make great first impressions. This is just one of several reasons to get proactive about solving dental problems. Call our practice to find out how we can work together to improve your oral health.

Our dentist will be happy to take a look at your teeth and recommend the best possible treatment. If the dentist recommends crowns or a little dental bonding, they will be happy to walk you through your custom treatment plan.

Request an appointment here: https://familydentistphoenix.com or call Phoenix Family Dentistry at (602) 547-9007 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.