Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are two common dental treatments, and there are some similarities between them. For example, either procedure can improve the way teeth look, and both types of prosthetics are custom-made to work with a patient’s unique dental structures. However, there are also some big differences between crowns and veneers. In this blog post, we will touch on some of those differences so you can gain insight into which treatment may be a better fit for your situation.
Purpose
The most significant difference between veneers and dental crowns is their respective purposes. While either type of prosthetic can provide aesthetic improvements, a crown is usually used to protect and repair a tooth. For example, it can strengthen a tooth that was weakened by decay, or it can shield a tooth that had to have a root canal. Crowns are able to provide robust protection for teeth because they completely cover every part of a tooth that is above the gum line.
Conversely, veneers only cover the front portion of a tooth. Their job is to disguise cosmetic imperfections rather than improve dental function.
Materials
Dental crowns can be made out of various materials. For example, gold, silver, and other metals are often used for crowns on the back teeth, whereas porcelain-fused-to-metal or 100 percent porcelain are frequently used for front teeth.
As their name implies, porcelain veneers are always made out of 100 percent porcelain. Porcelain is the ideal material for improving the way teeth look because it bears such a strong resemblance to natural dental enamel. It even reflects light in a manner that is similar to real teeth.
Thickness and Tooth Preparation
Because veneers are meant to beautify rather than protect, they are as thin as possible — often, they are less than half a millimeter thick. Their ultra-thin construction means that minimal tooth preparation is necessary in order for them to look natural when they are applied to teeth.
Dental crowns, on the other hand, are thicker. They must be thick enough to protect the tooth and restore any part of its structure that may have been lost. Because crowns are thicker than veneers, dentists must remove a significant portion of enamel from a tooth before it receives one.
Price
Porcelain veneers usually come with a higher out of pocket cost than crowns because they are a purely cosmetic procedure — dental insurance does not cover them. Also, while an individual may just need one crown to achieve the desired results, they may get several veneers. More veneers incur a higher total treatment cost.
Do you want to improve the function of your teeth, or are you just looking to refresh the way your smile looks? Your answer to that question will be a key factor in determining whether crowns or veneers are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Cloutier is a general and cosmetic dentist in Branford. He has many years of experience and advanced education, which equip him to provide patients with natural-feeling, natural-looking dental prosthetics — including both crowns and veneers. If you would like to speak to him about improving the way your teeth function or look, contact New Haven Dental Group’s Branford office at 203-488-0091.