What’s better – veneers or crowns? Modern dentistry offers various treatment options when it comes to restoring your smile and boosting your confidence. Given the fact that nearly 51% of people are currently unhappy with the way their teeth look, the ability to have them altered can be life-changing.
Knowing the difference between crowns and veneers on teeth is vital for achieving your optimal smile. While veneers can bring a more natural-looking smile, crowns help improve your teeth’s appearance and make them stronger than a veneer option. Both veneers and crowns differ in terms of cost, maintenance, and the extent of the procedure.
In this blog, we’ll answer the common question, “What’s the difference between a veneer and a crown?” and look in detail at both treatment options.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on repairing teeth and restoring their normal function. This can include anything from fillings and bridges to crowns and implants. While restorative dentistry will include aspects of cosmetic dentistry, the main goal is to repair damage and restore teeth to their normal state.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, prioritizes aesthetics over function. It includes any dental work that enhances the appearance of your teeth, gums, and/or bite. A common cosmetic dental treatment is teeth whitening. Veneers generally fall into the cosmetic category. However, crowns can be classified as a restorative or cosmetic treatment.
What’s The Difference Between A Veneer And A Crown?
Of the many restorative dental procedures available, veneers and crowns offer a way to strengthen the teeth while providing a natural look and feel. The difference between crowns and veneers on teeth comes down to the size and shape of the restoration, as well as their purpose.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are shells of ceramic, porcelain material, or composite resin that can be applied to the front surface of teeth to hide chipped, crooked, stained, or misshapen teeth. They’re custom-made in a lab based on oral impressions taken by your dentist.
The material used is strong and designed to match the shape and color of your natural tooth. It’s then bonded onto your tooth’s enamel with a special adhesive. Veneers are a popular restorative and cosmetic procedure because they look and feel natural and require little maintenance beyond regular brushing and flossing.
Benefits Of Veneers
Veneers can change your teeth’s shape, size, and color. With the right oral habits and care, veneers can provide long-term results for many dental issues. With veneers, you can:
- Improve the appearance of chipped or crooked teeth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Brighten stained or discolored teeth
- Increase the strength and durability of enamel
- Help protect against further damage
Veneers are a great cosmetic option for a natural look that doesn’t take away too much of your current tooth structure.
What Are Crowns?
Crowns are custom-made caps that fit over the entire surface of your existing tooth and consist of various materials, such as porcelain, composite resin, or metal alloys. Crowns protect weakened or damaged teeth while simultaneously improving their appearance.
Benefits Of Crowns
By getting a crown, you can enjoy several benefits that help improve your oral health and overall appearance, including:
- Improving the shape, size, and color of your tooth
- Strengthening a weakened tooth
- Covering a tooth that has badly decayed or cracked
- Improving the alignment of your teeth for a better bite
- Serving as an anchor for dental bridges and partial dentures
- Protecting vulnerable root canals from further damage
Crowns are a good cosmetic option that provide long lasting results.
Veneers vs. Crowns vs. Implants: How Are They Done?
When working with an experienced dentist, you can experience the benefits of restorative dentistry and be confident that your results will last. But knowing how each procedure is performed is imperative to understand what to expect.
The veneer procedure includes removing a thin layer of enamel from your tooth and then bonding the veneer to the remaining tooth structure. It’s often used to improve a tooth’s shape, size, and color for cosmetic reasons.
Crowns, on the other hand, are placed after removing a more significant portion of the enamel from the affected tooth. Cemented over the remaining tooth structure, crowns are typically used to address more severe issues.
Implants are an artificial replacement for a natural root in the jawbone. This procedure surgically places an implant post into the jawbone. A crown sits on top of the implant post. Implants are typically used when one or more teeth require replacement due to loss, decay, or fracture.
How Do I Know Which Is Right For Me?
The best way to determine which restorative treatment is appropriate for you is to consult your dentist. They’ll assess your mouth, teeth, and gums and determine which would give you the best result.
What’s Better, Veneers Or Crowns?
Dentists receive many questions regarding the different types of restorative treatments. To help you understand a bit more about what to expect, here are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers:
Do Crowns Last Longer Than Veneers?
While crowns are typically considered more durable than veneers for the long haul, the results will depend on a variety of factors, such as:
- The type of material used
- How well you take care of your teeth
- Any underlying conditions
Your dentist will be able to provide you with the most accurate answer based on these factors.
Can Others Tell The Difference Between A Crown And Veneer?
The goal of restorative dentistry is to enhance your oral health while improving the aesthetics of your smile. It’s often quite difficult for others to tell the difference between a dental crown vs. a veneer. Your dentist can advise you on which option will give you a natural-looking result based on your unique oral health needs.
Are Veneers More Expensive Than Crowns?
While the dental crown vs. veneer cost will vary based on a variety of factors (if someone has insurance and there is a medical necessity), crowns tend to be slightly more expensive. Veneers range from $925 to $1,500 per tooth, while crowns can cost upwards of $2,500 per tooth (if a root canal is also needed). However, your dentist can work with you to create an affordable payment plan that works for your budget.
Should I Get Veneers Or Crowns?
You should now know quite a bit about the different types of treatments that are available. While dental crowns are often best for those with significant dental damage, veneers can address mild to moderate cases and for cosmetic purposes.
Depending on your situation, either could be a good option, so discussing the pros and cons with your dentist is the best course of action. They can help you decide which suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle best.
Are Crowns Or Veneers Better? Get The Answer By Visiting Northside Dental Co.
So, what’s better, veneers or crowns? Knowing which option is right for you begins with a visit to a trained and experienced dental professional. They’ll be able to take a look at your overall dental health and recommend the best solution. Plus, they’ll be able to walk you through what to expect with any procedure, including the costs and long-term care.
At Northside Dental Co, our experienced dentists will guide you through every step of your treatment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help transform your smile!
