There are many issues surrounding the use of veneers and crowns.
Veneers and crowns are both being used to treat dental problems like repair of tooth decay, cavities and root canals procedures.
Both dental products are also being used for aesthetic purposes: to improve the physical appearance of the teeth, especially those located in the front of the mouth.
Sometimes the type of dental product to be used will depend on the dental procedure to be done. There will also be times when the patients can choose which one they prefer.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to cover the entire tooth. The existing tooth will be whittled away and only the core will remain.
Crowns are designed to totally cover the core and to blend well with the treated tooth with the rest of the remaining natural teeth.
Crowns are the best choice after a root canal treatment or when the tooth has been totally damaged from the inside.
In cosmetic dentistry, crowns are used to enhance the appearance of the teeth that are not properly shaped or placed or teeth with superficial decay.
Crowns can be used for about 10 to 15 years and will need replacement after that.
Veneers
Veneers are more normally used for voluntary procedures but can also be used for medically essential procedures like covering a tooth wherein a large part of the surface is impacted by a cavity.
Veneers are commonly made from porcelain or ceramic, but they can also be made from gold or titanium, in cases where dental procedures are combined with fashion statements.
Veneers are enormously strong and will efficiently cover the surface of a tooth for many years without the need for replacement.
Comparing Crowns and Veneers
Crowns and veneers can both repair a number of dental problems both medically and aesthetically. Both methods can fix discoloration, cracks, chips and damage due to decay.
The main physical disparity between crowns and veneers is that a crown is used to cover an entire tooth while a veneer is a very thin shell, which is usually made from porcelain, which caps only the front and sides of the decayed tooth.
When comparing crowns and veneers the first factor to consider is how much of the tooth is to be covered. If the tooth is totally decayed from the inside, the only choice is the use of crowns.
Another factor is the durability of the product and how long it can provide long lasting solution for both your dental and aesthetic problems. Crowns are of course the proven choice for the best aesthetic effects; they are also the most reliable and stronger of the two.
Another important factor to consider is the cost of the product. This factor always goes in favor for veneers since they are more affordable. Both treatments are not usually covered by medical insurance and most people opt for the most affordable solution to their dental problems.
Although crowns are several hundreds of dollars more costly than veneers, gold and titanium veneers however are the most expensive.
All in all, when the choice is between dependability and strength, crowns are the best choice.
Read more about dental crowns
There are a number of different types of crowns, some are more suitable for the back teeth and others are preferred for front teeth (learn more about this here).
The most popular types or dental crowns are:
- zirconia, emax: Ideal for front tooth, very natural look, durable, cost more than most other types of crowns.
- Cerec: This is made at the dentist with a CAD-CAM device, it's biggest advantage is that it requires only a single appointment with the dentist.
- gold, porcelain fused to metal: They are ideal for your back teeth. Gold is more expensive and not very aesthetic, however dentists consider this as a very tooth-friendly material
Read more about veneers
Veneers are always placed on the front teeth, they can serve both aesthetic and restorative purposes. If a front tooth is not badly damaged or you just want to enhance your smile, a veneer could be the right solution.
The most popular type is probably the porcelain veneer, which is ideal to fix a chipped or stained tooth. The really strong MAC veneers and the very thin lumineers are also popular choices. The CEREC technology is also available for veneers, you can get a CEREC veneer in one appointment only.
