Veneers vs Crowns. When it’s time to restore a severely damaged or unsightly tooth, cosmetic dentistry offers several options. Two of the most popular are crowns and teeth veneers such as Lumineers. Both options can be used to correct many types of cosmetic and general dental defects including improper spacing between teeth, crooked teeth, aging or discolored large fillings, broken or chipped teeth, and more. Before you choose between crowns and veneers, it is wise to learn how each works, and consider the advantages and disadvantages of both.
What are the Differences between Crowns and Teeth Veneers?
Crowns and veneers are both add-on components that alter the structure and appearance of an existing natural tooth. Both require some preparation of the existing teeth they are augmenting. A crown or cap is fashioned to mimic the appearance of all tooth surfaces; it encircles the entire circumference of the tooth. A veneer is a thin shell made from porcelain or resin that fits over only the visible front and side portions of a tooth. Lumineers is a brand name of ultra-thin dental veneers that require little preparation or loss of underlying teeth. When correctly designed and placed, both crowns and veneers offer complete coverage of visible tooth areas, so their value in cosmetic dentistry is equal. Because they restore chewing function, crowns are used more often in general dental settings.
Veneers vs Crowns: The Differences
Now that you know the basics of crowns and veneers, let’s talk about the differences.
At their root, crowns and veneers serve the same basic purpose: protecting damaged teeth from further harm, maintaining the soundness of your bite, and giving you a cosmetic boost in the process.
That said, crowns and veneers serve different practical purposes. They’re also designed with different purposes in mind, require different preparation, and, could a different costs associated with the procedure.
Design and Purpose
The design of crowns and veneers tell you something about their intended purposes.
Crowns are caps that fit over a tooth to provide protection to a severely damaged or decaying tooth. They can also be used to anchor dental bridges and cover dental implants.
Veneers, on the other hand, are only a thin layer of porcelain cemented to the front of the tooth.
As such, veneers are mainly intended more for cosmetic purposes.
Crowns, on the other hand, are designed to be used for structural repair and support. They have cosmetic uses, but the primary goal of crowns is to maintain the integrity of the damaged tooth as much as possible.
Preparation and Placement
Since crowns and veneers treat different tooth issues, the preparation for each is different.
Crowns, as a rule, are a more extensive process. Your dentist will always begin by treating the damaged tooth, though this can look like a number of different things. It often involves removing the defected fillings and filing down the damaged tooth, if present, and to adjust the shape of the tooth.
Once this is done, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab to make your crown. They will give you a temporary crown while you wait for the permanent one, both for cosmetics and so that your teeth can’t shift.
Veneers, on the other hand, are far less intensive. Your dentist will take a thin layer of enamel from the tooth being treated and the remaining enamel layer is extremely important to stay in order to get an optimal adhesion of the veneer on the tooth, and then, your dentist will apply temporary veneers to hold you over while you wait for the permanent ones.
What Patients Say
Both crowns and teeth veneers produce a favorable result for people who need extensive restoration. According to online review sites, more dental patients report satisfaction with crowns than veneers. A common complaint is that veneers give a bulky or oversized appearance to teeth. However, an oversized appearance may also occur with a dental crown.
When choosing between veneers and crowns, it’s important to remember that each case is different. To get the most from dental restorations, patients should discuss their personal dental needs and desired outcomes with their cosmetic dentists
Veneer vs. Crown: Durability
One big question that comes to mind when considering crowns or veneers is durability. You want to make sure that you are choosing a solution that will stand the test of time so you don’t find yourself back in the dentist’s chair any more than you need to be.
Veneers typically last 7-15 years before they need to be replaced, while crowns usually last 10-15 years. Crowns are made of more durable material so they do tend to last a little longer.
However, veneers are a little easier to replace because they do not cover your entire tooth. A crown is more permanent and more involved to replace whenever that time comes.
Veneers are also more subject to breaking because they are thinner and made of more delicate porcelain. They are not recommended for people with habits like biting their nails, grinding their teeth, or chewing on ice.
Making a Decision
The best way to know whether crowns or veneers are the right choices for you is to visit Dr.Miski for an evaluation of your chipped, severely filled tooth or broken one. Dr.Miski will assess your situation and provide you with options that best meet your needs.
In making the decision on veneers vs. crowns, all factors which have been mentioned above should be taken into account — indication, durability, and your dental health. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr.Miski.
