Dental Crowns or Porcelain Veneers: You’re examining your smile critically in front of the mirror. Maybe it’s that chipped tooth that’s been bothering you or the slight discoloration that won’t budge no matter how much whitening toothpaste you use. You’ve heard about dental crowns and porcelain veneers, but which one is the right choice for your pearly whites?
Today’s advanced cosmetic dentistry offers excellent options for getting your smile back on track. Dental crowns and porcelain veneers are the most popular and effective smile makeovers. But how do you decide whether crowns or ceramic veneers are best for your situation?
In this article, we’ll compare veneers, crowns, and veneers so you can make the right choice for your needs. Finally, we can answer the question: Which is better, porcelain veneers or crowns?
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped covers that fit over damaged teeth to restore their structure, function, and aesthetics. They cost, cover, and act as a cap that protects the entire natural tooth above the gum line.
Crowns are necessary when the tooth decay or damage is too severe to be treated with regular fillings. Some everyday situations where your dentist may recommend a crown include:
When You Need a Dental Crown
- Large cavities or tooth decay that has penetrated deep into the tooth’s inner layers
- Cracked or fractured cusps from trauma or intense biting forces
- Teeth worn down significantly due to teeth grinding or abrasion over time
- Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment or dental implants that need protection and support
In cases where tooth integrity is compromised, crowns are the best permanent restoration option. They prevent further decay and restore the tooth’s original shape, function, and appearance.
The Dental Crown Procedure
The crown placement procedure involves just a few steps:
First, your dentist will use a drill to remove decay and file down the damaged sections of your natural front tooth enamel. This creates room for the crown material to fit over it. They remove just enough of the surface enamel and dentin to allow the crown to envelop the missing tooth below fully.
Next, the cosmetic dentist takes impressions of the prepared tooth using a putty-like material. These impressions and the shade of your natural teeth are sent to a dental laboratory. Here, a highly skilled ceramist will fabricate a custom dental crown made from porcelain or ceramic that precisely matches the color of your surrounding teeth.
While you wait for the permanent crown to be created (usually 2-3 weeks), your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. Try to avoid sticky or hard foods during this time.
At your next appointment, the temporary metal crowns will be removed, the new permanent metal alloy crowns will be tested for fit and bite, and then securely cemented over your natural tooth. The gold crowns’ covering will strengthen your existing tooth and give you back a flawless, natural-looking smile!
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Unlike crowns, porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells that cover just the front visible part of your teeth. Veneers are ideal for minor cosmetic flaws like small chips, gaps, crookedness, or stains on your front teeth.
Porcelain veneers are customized for teeth and usually range from .3mm to .5mm thick. They are bonded securely to the front of your natural teeth with a unique dental adhesive, preserving most of your natural tooth structure underneath the tooth surface.
Veneers are a conservative solution for issues like:
- Minor chips or cracks
- Worn down or uneven tooth edges
- Slightly crooked or misaligned teeth
- Discoloration or stains that don’t polish away
The veneer placement process involves just a few visits. First, your dentist lightly roughens the surface of the teeth receiving the composite veneers and takes an impression. Dental lab technicians fabricate the skinny layer of porcelain composite veneers to precisely fit over your natural teeth.
At your next visit, your dentist will remove any stains, shape the teeth, and ensure the dental veneers fit perfectly on the chipped teeth. The dental veneers will then be bonded into place on the front teeth. Unlike crowns, dental veneers only cover the visible part of your teeth, preserving more natural teeth.
Veneers provide a quick smile overhaul, transforming your appearance while conserving your tooth structure. You can smile brightly again with white, perfectly aligned teeth!
Critical Differences Between Crowns and Veneers
Now that you have a basic understanding of dental crowns vs. porcelain veneers, let’s do a deeper dive into the main differences between these two popular smile restoration options:
What Crowns Do
- Crowns cover the entire visible portion of the tooth down to the gumline.
- More removal of your natural tooth structure is required for crowns compared to veneers.
- Dental crowns are very durable and, with proper care, can last 10-30 years. They reinforce damaged teeth.
What do Veneers do?
- Porcelain veneers only cover the front surface of teeth.
- Veneers are thinner and more conservative, requiring minimal shaping of the teeth.
- Veneers focus on aesthetic improvements only.
Other Key Differences
- The porcelain used for crowns and veneers can be customized to match the color of your natural teeth precisely.
- However, veneers have a greater cosmetic focus on enhancing the smile’s appearance.
- On average, porcelain veneers cost 30-50% less per tooth than dental crowns.
- Dental insurance plans like crowns may not cover veneers since they are considered a cosmetic treatment.
As you can see, crowns and veneers have slightly different indications and advantages. Crowns aim to rebuild the form and function of a severely damaged tooth from the inside out. Veneers offer a minimally invasive cosmetic solution for minor flaws only affecting the visible enamel surface of the damaged or missing tooth part.
Choosing the best option involves looking at your natural teeth’ condition, desired outcome, and dental budget. Sometimes, a combination of crowns and veneers may be recommended to give you the most complete smile transformation.
When Dental Crowns Are the Better Choice
Dental crowns are the restoration of choice when natural teeth require extensive reconstruction or reinforcement.
Severe Cavity Damage
Crowns are preferable for teeth severely compromised by decay. Large cavities or advanced decay that extend deep into the entire tooth’s exposed inner dentin layers often require crowns to restore form and function. The crowns reinforce the remaining tooth structure.
Cracks and Breaks
Crowns protect cracked or fractured teeth at high risk of further damage when biting and chewing. They strengthen teeth from the biting forces that caused the cracks in broken teeth in the first place.
Following Root Canals
Teeth that undergo root canal treatment become more brittle and prone to cracking without the inner pulp tissue. Protective crowns are usually placed on multiple teeth following root canals.
Worn Down Teeth
Excessive wearing of tooth enamel from grinding or abrasion can cause damage. Crowns rebuild the worn enamel, removing the teeth to their original dimensions.
Dental Implant Restorations
Implants need a crown placed on top to replace the visible part of the original tooth below. The ceramic crowns make the implant and crown look and function like natural teeth.
When Strength Comes First
For patients with intense biting force or teeth-grinding habits, durable metal crowns are required to withstand the pressures. Crowns reinforce the teeth from further damage.
In these situations, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are required to rebuild, reinforce, and protect damaged teeth from further injury. The dental crown covers the entire tooth structure, providing a strong and durable solution. Whether you choose dental crowns or porcelain veneers, both offer excellent protection and a natural appearance. Dental crowns or porcelain veneers can restore your smile and improve the functionality of your teeth. With advancements in dental technology, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are now more effective and aesthetically pleasing than ever.
When Porcelain Veneers Are Preferable
Porcelain veneers are the best option for smile flaws that primarily affect appearance rather than tooth structure.
Chips and Worn Spots
Small chips, cracks, or worn spots on the edges of front teeth can be covered with veneers to restore a smooth smileline.
Discoloration and Stains
Veneers can mask discoloration or stains on front teeth that don’t polish away with professional cleaning. Dental crowns or porcelain veneers are effective solutions for achieving a bright smile. The porcelain veneer is custom-colored to match the surrounding teeth, ensuring a seamless look. Many patients choose dental crowns or porcelain veneers to enhance their smile’s appearance. Whether you opt for dental crowns or porcelain veneers, both provide durable and aesthetically pleasing results.
Minor Gaps
Small gaps between front teeth can be closed with precisely fitted veneers.
Slightly Crooked Teeth
Slight crookedness or unevenness in front teeth can be cosmetically corrected with properly aligned veneers.
Healthy Underlying Structure
Patients with overall healthy front teeth are ideal candidates for temporary veneers or dental crowns to improve their appearance. Only a tiny natural tooth needs to be removed for these procedures. Dental crowns or porcelain veneers are excellent options for enhancing your smile. When considering dental crowns or porcelain veneers, it’s essential to understand that each method has unique benefits. Temporary veneers can provide a quick aesthetic boost, while dental crowns or porcelain veneers offer a more permanent solution. You can achieve a beautiful, lasting smile by opting for dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
Veneers only require reshaping the sides of teeth, not full coverage. This conservative approach is ideal when tooth appearance is the main issue, but the underlying structure is intact. The thin veneers produce a flawless smile transformation without the aggressive grinding down of natural teeth. However, dental crowns or porcelain veneers may be necessary for more extensive dental issues. Dental crowns or porcelain veneers provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring aesthetic and structural integrity. When deciding between dental crowns or porcelain veneers, it’s crucial to consult with a dental professional to determine the best option for your specific needs.
What to Consider When Choosing Between Crowns and Veneers
Deciding between dental crowns and porcelain veneers depends on several important factors.
Condition of Natural Teeth
- Crowns are required for badly damaged teeth with extensive decay, fractures, wear, or need for root canals.
- Veneers are preferable for minor flaws like small chips, stains, or gaps limited to front teeth.
Location of Treatment
- Crowns can be placed on the front and back teeth.
- Veneers are only used on the visible front teeth.
Grinding and Biting Forces
- Crowns better withstand heavy biting forces from bruxism and teeth grinding.
- Veneers are thinner and not recommended for those with intense grinding habits.
Desired Outcome
- Crowns restore form and function.
- Veneers provide aesthetic improvements to your smile.
Dental Budget
- Porcelain veneers typically cost 30-50% less per tooth than dental crowns.
- However, veneers, like crowns, may not be covered by insurance.
Your Dentist’s Recommendation
- Make sure to get your dentist’s professional recommendation based on their exam of your teeth.
- A combination of crowns and veneers is often advised to achieve optimal results.
Talk to your dentist about whether your situation is better suited for dental crowns or porcelain veneers. Dental crowns or porcelain veneers are excellent dental restoration procedures that can address various dental issues. By using dental crowns or porcelain veneers, a customized dental treatment and plan can give you a revitalized, healthy smile. Whether you need dental crowns or porcelain veneers, consulting with your dentist will help determine the best option for your needs.
Get an Evaluation for Crowns vs Veneers
As discussed, dental crowns or porcelain veneers offer different advantages for restoring damaged or flawed teeth. Key factors in choosing between dental crowns or porcelain veneers include the location and extent of damage, whether you grind your teeth, your budget, and whether you want cosmetic enhancements versus full reconstruction. Whether opting for dental crowns or porcelain veneers, both options provide a durable and aesthetic solution to improve your smile.
To determine if your smile would benefit more from crowns or veneers, consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist. At East Village Dental, we do cosmetic dentistry and have extensive training with both treatment options. Our skilled dentists will thoroughly evaluate oral health, your teeth and goals to recommend the ideal restorations dental treatments for your needs.
Give our dental office a call today to schedule a consultation. We’ll take care of all the details—from dental insurance paperwork to gentle, precise placement—so you can relax and reveal your new confident smile.