Crowns and veneers are common dental procedures that restore the appearance and function of decayed, discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth. Before undergoing the above-mentioned procedures, the dentist performs a thorough dental assessment through observations and tests like X-rays. The assessment helps determine the extent of damage to your teeth and your eligibility for the procedures.
Crowns and veneers serve an almost similar purpose. However, they have significant differences. These differences range from your eligibility for the procedure to the benefits and setbacks of each procedure. When you are conversant with the pros and cons offered by veneers and crowns, you can make an informed decision.
To make an informed choice, consult with a knowledgeable dentist. This ensures that you undergo a thorough assessment. The differences between crowns and veneers include the following:
Pros of Dental Crowns
The following are some of the benefits offered by dental crowns:
Crowns can be Used to Replace Missing Teeth
Crowns can be used to cover a damaged tooth or as a tooth replacement for dental implants. This means you do not need natural teeth to undergo the crowning procedure. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root attached to the jawbone below the missing tooth. The implant helps stimulate the jawbone and makes your restoration look natural. A crown is then used as a replacement for the missing tooth. In this case, the crown is custom-made to mimic the shade of your teeth.
Veneers do not offer this benefit. This is because the procedure is applied to the tooth enamel. Your dentist can recommend veneers if you have strong natural teeth. This is because restorations are placed on the front part of the tooth enamel to cover cosmetic flaws like discoloration and tooth cracks. Your dentist cannot advocate for veneers when you have severely damaged teeth.
Crowns Strengthen the Tooth Structure
According to Web Med, crowns will improve your teeth’ appearance and strengthen their structure. This makes it easier to chew and bite without the fear of breaking them. Crowns are custom-made to cover all parts of the tooth. You may be a good candidate for crowns if you have severe damage to your tooth structure.
Dental complications like tooth decay or cavities could damage your tooth. Other factors that could destroy your teeth include trauma from contact sports and auto accidents. When your tooth is fitted with a crown, it can function like other healthy teeth. Additionally, it will be sealed against bacteria that could cause further damage.
You will be a good candidate for veneers when you have tiny cracks, stained teeth, misshapen, and minor gaps on your teeth. This is because the restoration will only change the appearance of your tooth and have no effect on its structure.
Unlike crowns, veneers do not strengthen your tooth’s structure. Instead, the procedure is purely cosmetic. Placing the veneers on your tooth will conceal dental flaws like stains, cracks, chips, or other cosmetic imperfections.
You must undergo a thorough dental assessment before choosing crowns to restore your teeth. The assessment allows the dentist to determine the condition of your teeth and move forward with a solution that offers lasting benefits for your oral health.
Crowns Cover the Entirety of the Tooth
Dental crowns are custom-made to cover the entirety of the tooth enamel. In addition to restoring your smile and the structure of your teeth, the crowns will protect your teeth from further decay. When crowns are fitted correctly, bacteria cannot reach your tooth enamel. For this reason, you will have lasting protection for your oral health.
Veneers are made only to cover the front and visible part of the tooth. While this could restore the appearance of your smile, it does little to protect your tooth. The part not covered by the veneer remains exposed to mouth bacteria, which could cause decay or cavities. Therefore, veneers will not be the best treatment option if you want to protect your teeth from decay.
Crowns are Durable
Research shows that dental crowns are more durable than veneers. Since a crown covers the whole tooth, the likelihood of damage or chipping is lowered. This means a crown can offer extended protection and strengthening benefits to your teeth without needing replacement. Your dental crown can serve you for five to fifteen years under the right circumstances. However, the following factors could impact the duration that these crowns last:
- Presence of enough tooth enamel. A dental crown is attached to your tooth enamel. When there is less tooth enamel for the crown to attach, it could loosen with time and require replacement. Consulting with an experienced dentist helps ensure that the condition of your teeth is suitable for crowns.
- Your oral hygiene. You must maintain proper oral hygiene even after fitting your teeth with crowns. Failure to brush and floss regularly could result in complications like gum disease, which can damage your crowns.
- Your diet. Your diet could significantly impact the duration of your crowns remaining in good condition. Habits like chewing ice or biting hard foods could damage your natural teeth and dental restorations.
- Materials used. The lifespan of your dental crowns will be impacted by the materials used to make them. Crowns could be made of porcelain, composite, or metal alloys, depending on your budget and desired appearance. Mostly, crowns made of metal alloys are known to last longer than other types of crowns.
The Cons of Dental Crowns
You must be aware of the following setbacks of undergoing a dental crown procedure:
Fitting of Crowns Requires Tooth Reduction
A crown is a tooth restoration that covers the entire tooth. Crowns could be made of different materials, including porcelain, composite, and metal. Your choice of material will depend on your desired outlook and budget. During the dental crown procedure, your dentist will remove a significant part of the tooth enamel. This helps avoid the bulky feeling when the crown is attached to the tooth.
While reducing the tooth enamel helps ensure that the crown is correctly attached and your teeth do not feel bulky, it can present a wide range of complications. Reducing your tooth enamel weakens it, meaning you must always have something to protect. Additionally, interfering with the tooth enamel could result in sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is the pain and discomfort you experience in your teeth when you eat or drink cold and hot foods. Reducing the tooth enamel to fit the crown could expose the roots of your tooth, increasing the risk of sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity can impact your ability to chew your food correctly and cause severe discomfort.
Therefore, if your teeth do not have substantial damage and you have problems with sensitivity, you could opt for veneers that cause less enamel damage. Veneers are thin porcelain shells cemented onto the tooth enamel to enhance the appearance of your teeth.
Veneers have a thickness of about 1 millimetre and are bonded directly onto the tooth enamel. Little or no material from the tooth enamel must be removed to fit the veneers.
There is an Increased Risk of Nerve Damage with Crowns
Like other oral health procedures, there are some risks associated with dental crowns that you must know before you settle for the procedure. When undergoing the dental crown procedure, your dentist will file down your tooth enamel to create space for the crown.
Studies show that you could experience nerve damage if your tooth is filed too thin. Sometimes, the dentist will perform extensive enamel reduction when your tooth has suffered substantial decay or a cavity extends deep into the tooth.
Tooth nerve damage is characterized by:
- Pain near the gum line. If you have suffered damage to the nerves of the wisdom teeth, you could experience a dull ache along the gum line.
- Discomfort when chewing. You will experience pain and discomfort when you exert pressure on a damaged tooth root when chewing.
- Sensitivity. When you have nerve damage, you could experience sensitivity to cold, hot, or sugary foods and drinks.
If you suffer nerve damage from a dental crown procedure, you may need to undergo a root canal to remove the root pulp. This helps eliminate the pain and discomfort. There is no risk of nerve damage with veneers since the porcelain restoration is only placed on the front part of the enamel, which requires less enamel reduction.
Pros of Dental Veneers
Patients who opt for dental veneers enjoy the following benefits:
Veneers Fix Your Cosmetic Dental Flaws
A significant benefit offered by veneers is the ability to fix cosmetic dental flaws. The thin porcelain shells can conceal and improve your smile if you have cracked, chipped, or discolored teeth. This can significantly boost your confidence.
Fitting of Veneers is a Less Invasive Procedure
Veneers are placed on the tooth’s surface to cover cosmetic flaws. Therefore, the procedure is less invasive, and the risk of developing complications like damage to surrounding teeth and injuries to your gums is reduced.
If you opt for dental crowns, your tooth must be filed down before the crown is placed. Most people who opt for crowns have severely damaged and decayed teeth. Therefore, the dentist must remove the decayed part, an invasive procedure.
Veneers are Aesthetically Pleasing
Dental veneers are made of porcelain, which gives your teeth a shiny appearance. Compared to other dental restorations, like crowns, veneers are more appealing. Due to their thin size and ability to mimic natural teeth, the veneers create a natural-looking smile.
Cons of Dental Veneers
The setbacks associated with veneers include:
Veneers are Costly
Dental veneers cost between $925 and $2500, depending on your chosen materials and your dentist’s expertise. This is significantly higher than crowns and will cost anywhere from $800 to $1500 per tooth. Since veneers are a purely cosmetic procedure, your dental insurance cannot help you cover the cost of the procedure. This means that you must pay the total cost of the procedure.
On the other hand, crowns are a restorative dental procedure that offers some cosmetic benefits. Therefore, your dental insurance can cover a portion of the cost.
Increased Risk of Popping Off
Dental veneers are attached to the front part of your tooth enamel using adhesive glue. Unlike crowns, which fit like a cap around the tooth, the adhesive only holds the veneers in place. This increases the risk of being dislodged.
Major Differences Between Crowns and Veneers
Veneers and crowns have the following significant differences:
- Fitting. A primary difference between veneers and crowns is how they fit. A crown is placed around your tooth, while veneers are only placed on the visible part of the tooth enamel. This means that your natural tooth will not be visible or exposed with a crown.
- Longevity. Even with proper dental care practices, patients must replace veneers after several years. On the other hand, crowns are more permanent restorations and could last a lifetime.
- Thickness. Dental crowns have a thickness of about 2mm. For this reason, the dentist must thin your tooth enamel to avoid the bulky feeling. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, have a thickness of 0.5 mm, and filling down the tooth enamel is not necessary.
- Nature of the procedure. Crowns serve restorative purposes for your teeth, while veneers are a purely cosmetic dental procedure. This means the crowns will improve the tooth’s appearance and restore its health and structure. Dentists recommend veneers when you do not have significant structural damage to your teeth.
Find Reliable Dental Services Near Me
Crowns and veneers are standard procedures used to restore the appearance and function of your teeth. Although veneers and crowns perform almost similar functions, they differ in the benefits they offer and their drawbacks. A common difference between these procedures is that veneers will only cover the front part of your tooth enamel, while crowns are made to cover the entire tooth.
Additionally, your dentist may need to remove part of your tooth enamel to fit crowns, which is different for patients seeking dental restoration with veneers. If you recognize the differences in the benefits and setbacks of veneers and crowns, you can choose the procedure that meets your specific oral health needs and falls within your budget.
At The Lakewood Dentist, we offer expert dental services for our clients seeking to restore their damaged teeth in Lakewood, CA. Call us at 562-423-1441 to discuss your oral health needs.