Dental restoration procedures such as crowns and veneers can dramatically improve your teeth’ appearance and function.
Getting dental restoration procedures are expensive; it’s vital to know which one is right for you. Veneers and crowns both have good success rates and will improve the look of your smile; however, there are differences between veneers and crowns.
This quick guide will explain the difference between veneers and crowns to help you understand which one is better for you.
Veneers
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are layers attached by dentists to your teeth to improve their function and enhance your smile’s appearance. They are usually made of stain-resistant porcelain that matches the colour of our teeth. You are a perfect candidate for veneers if your teeth are:
- unevenly spaced
- irregularly shaped
- chipped
- severely stained
What Involves Getting a Veneer?
Getting dental veneers involves a series of stages. First, you are referred to a prosthodontist by your dentist. It’s time for a checkup, and the doctor discusses what veneers can do for you. An X-ray could be required, as well as an impression of your teeth (mould of your teeth) to design and create a custom restoration.
The process of making veneers usually takes a week weeks so a temporary veneer will be worn this time.
When you come back for your permanent veneers, the temporary restoration will be removed, and your natural teeth will be cleaned. The dentist will then try your permanent veneer on and make minor adjustments if needed to fit it perfectly. Once satisfied, the dentist will use a permanent bonding agent to attach your permanent veneer.
Crowns
What are Dental Crowns?
The difference between dental crowns and veneers is that dental crowns are caps that cover your teeth entirely. A larger portion of the tooth must be filed or ground down to prepare the tooth for the crown.
Your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth before a crown is placed on it.
What Involves Getting a Crown?
The process of getting a crown is similar to getting a veneer. Your dentist will digitally scan your tooth or create a mould to generate an impression of it. The image or mould will be submitted to a lab for the production of the crown.
Your dentist will ground down your tooth and put a temporary crown on it while the permanent crown is being created.
The dentist will replace the temporary crown with the permanent crown when ready. The dentist will attach the permanent crown and make adjustments until it fits perfectly and you can properly bite. The new crown will be cemented in place.
Difference Between Veneers and Crowns
Veneers and crowns may seem similar but, in fact, unique from one another. Their differences can help you determine which one is the best treatment for your dental needs.
Shape:
Dental veneers are thin shells covering only the front surface of a tooth. Crowns, on the other hand, are shaped three-dimensionally and strikingly the same as the tooth they are meant to cover.
Purpose:
Veneers are for cosmetic purposes, used to cover badly discoloured, chipped, or misshapen teeth so you can have a more beautiful smile. In contrast, crowns are cosmetic and restorative. They add beauty and confidence to your smile while also restoring the function and structural integrity of your damaged tooth.
Process:
It is necessary to apply a veneer to a natural tooth. A dental crown, however, can be used to replace a natural tooth as a dental implant.
Cost:
The cost of a veneer is less than that of a crown.
Insurance Coverage: A veneer may be cheaper than a crown, but veneers are viewed as a merely cosmetic procedure, hence, may not be covered by dental insurance. Crowns are functional, restorative, and cosmetic in purpose and more likely to be covered.
Which is Best: Crown or Veneer?
There is no clear winner between crown and veneer because both are effective and durable solutions. The greatest treatment is the one that best matches your specific circumstance. For example, you may be recommended to have a whole crown to replace a fractured front tooth. In contrast, something relatively simple, such as a serious discolouration of the tooth, may only require a veneer to restore your smile.
Consult with your professional dentist to determine the best therapy for you.
