Restoration methods like crowns or veneers can enhance the appearance of your teeth besides their functionality. The primary difference between the two is that veneers only cover the tooth’s front while a crown encases the entire tooth.
Dental restoration procedures are expensive, making it incredibly essential for you to know which one is best suited for your needs. Both the techniques are different, but simultaneously both have success rates.
Let us look at the differences between crowns and veneers besides the benefits and downsides of having these types of restorations.
Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain or composite resin, approximately 1 millimeter in thickness, that cemented to the surface of your front tooth. A dental crown is about 2 mm in thickness and encases the entire tooth. The crown can be all porcelain, porcelain fused metal, or all metal alloy.
The condition of your teeth and the problems you are trying to fix determines whether a veneer or a crown is suitable for them. Some of the familiar reasons for restorations are:
Crowns and veneers are both matched to the natural color of your teeth except for all-metal crowns.
Veneers are helpful to cover the front surface of your tooth. The procedure for having them is not as invasive as crowns. The preparation process leaves much of the original tooth structure intact. The dentist at Coral Pointe Dental & Orthodontics removes about half a millimeter of enamel from the front of the tooth by grinding down the surface for accommodating the veneer. The latest varieties of shells do not need much grinding of the tooth surface. However, you are administered local anesthesia as the grinding is painful.
If you want veneers to function correctly, you must have sufficient tooth enamel on your teeth for a surface to be cemented to it.
Crowns are restorations for covering the entire tooth. If you need a crown, much of the tooth structure must be filed or ground down to prepare crown placement. If you are affected by tooth decay, the dentist removes the tooth’s decayed portion before creating the crown. In such cases, your tooth must be built to support the restoration. Building your tooth becomes essential even if it is damaged. The preparation procedure is painful and requires local anesthesia.
If your tooth has extensive fillings, is worn or cracked, or has undergone root canal therapy, your dentist recommends a crown. However, if your tooth is intact and needs restoration for aesthetic reasons, a veneer is the best option. Minor shape corrections can also be made with veneers.
Benefits of Veneers
Veneers are aesthetically pleasing than crowns because they don’t show the gum margin even after several years as it is familiar with crowns. Some variety of surfaces don’t need extensive trimming, ensuring much of your healthy tooth structure remains. Veneers’ teeth don’t move.
Downsides of Veneers
A better part of your tooth is exposed to new decay with veneers. The veneer process isn’t reversible. Composite veneers are affordable but only last for 5 to 7 years. Porcelain veneers last for 10 to 15 years but may eventually need replacements. Dental insurance does not cover dental veneers.
Benefits of Crowns
Crowns encase your entire tooth protecting it from new decay. Porcelain crowns appear and function like natural teeth. Crowns don’t need removal for cleaning as it is familiar with dentures. Dental insurance may reimburse you for part of the costs.
Downsides of Crowns
Your natural tooth structure is removed to accommodate the crown. You may experience sensitivity to hot and cold initially besides gum pain with the crowned tooth. If sensitivity increases, you must schedule an appointment with the dentist to determine the causes. Porcelain crowns are fragile and are susceptible to damages. Porcelain fused to metal crowns display a thin dark line between your natural tooth and the restoration.
Both crowns and veneers enhance your smile and functionality of your teeth. These are expensive therapeutic procedures, especially when you want them on more than one teeth. Veneers are useful as a cosmetic enhancement to cover crooked or chipped teeth in the front of your mouth.
Crowns are useful if your tooth is extensively decayed, broken, or has undergone root canal therapy.
Regardless of which type of restoration you have, it is essential to practice proper dental hygiene to maintain the veneer or crown and your remaining healthy teeth.
