If your teeth have been damaged, then you are probably thinking about ways to fix your smile and make it bright again.
Fortunately, there are several options available these days that can work very well. However, they all have their pros and cons. Two of the most popular options are veneers and crowns.
To give you an idea, here are some differences between veneers and crowns to help you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
1. Coverage of the Tooth
One of the main differences between dental crowns and veneers is how they cover your tooth. A crown is designed to cover your entire tooth, essentially like a cap, and it provides complete protection. This makes crowns a great option for a tooth that is damaged, cracked, or weak, as it can restore both function and aesthetics.
On the other hand, dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that only cover the front surface of your tooth. They are often used to enhance the appearance of the front teeth. Veneers are more suitable if your main concern is cosmetic, such as improving the color, shape, or size of your visible teeth.
2. Purpose of Treatment
WIth family dentistry, you have various options to improve both dental health and appearance, and understanding the purpose of each treatment can make a big difference in your decision.
Dental crowns are typically used when there is a medical need, such as to restore a broken tooth or protect a weakened one. For instance, after a root canal treatment, a crown is often recommended to protect the remaining tooth structure.
Veneers, by contrast, are used mainly for cosmetic reasons. They are ideal if you want to correct discoloration, minor misalignments, or gaps between your front teeth. If you’re primarily interested in making your smile look better without extensive dental work, veneers may be a suitable option.
3. Material Used
Both crowns and veneers can be made from similar materials, such as porcelain or ceramic, but they can also vary based on your needs. Crowns are commonly made from metal, porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, or resin, depending on where the crown is being placed and how much strength is required.
Dental veneers are usually made of porcelain or composite resin, with porcelain being a popular choice because it closely mimics the natural look of tooth enamel.
Veneers need to be strong enough to withstand normal biting forces, but they don’t need the same level of durability as crowns, since they only cover the front of the tooth.
4. Tooth Preparation Needed
A significant difference between crowns and veneers is how much of your natural tooth needs to be altered to accommodate the restoration. For dental crowns, a larger portion of your tooth structure needs to be removed so the crown can fit snugly over the entire tooth. This process makes crowns a more invasive treatment compared to veneers.
With veneers, the preparation is minimal. Only a small amount of enamel—typically less than a millimeter—is removed from the front of the tooth to make room for the veneer. If preserving as much of your natural tooth as possible is important to you, veneers may be the better choice.