Porcelain Veneers vs Crowns: Which is Best for Your Smile?

If you’re unhappy with the current appearance of your smile, you might be exploring ways to enhance your smile and restore your teeth.

At Captivate Dental, we offer two great options: our porcelain veneers and dental crowns.

Both alternatives are popular, relatively simple, and offer excellent results.

Although both treatments improve the look of your smile and teeth, you should know some critical differences between them before deciding which treatment is proper for you.

What are Veneers and Crowns?

Both veneers and crowns are forms of cosmetic treatment and dental restoration, with veneers tending more towards cosmetic improvement and crowns tending more towards functional improvement.

However, both procedures can be a key part of upgrading your smile.

veneers and crowns cover existing teeth. The differences include the teeth they are placed on, how much natural tooth must be removed during treatment, how much of the tooth surface is covered, and how thick the covering material is.

A porcelain veneer is a wafer-thin porcelain slice bonded to the front of teeth.

The porcelain is carefully coloured to match (or improve!) the colour of your natural teeth.

Veneers are sturdy; hard, sudden, repeated impacts can crack or knock them off teeth.

Crowns are much thicker, cover entire teeth, and are manufactured from metal, porcelain, or a combination of both.

A crown is a sturdier appliance and is much more resistant to cracking than veneers are.

Key Differences in Treatment

Because veneers are a surface treatment applied only to the front of teeth, they are more conservative than crowns.

To place a veneer, your dentist usually removes a thin layer of tooth enamel from the front of the tooth and doesn’t usually need to alter the core or the back of the tooth.

This means that far less of a tooth needs to be removed to place a veneer.

Conversely, crowns require up to 75% of the visible tooth to be removed before they can be placed on teeth.

This means up to four times as much tooth reduction is needed for crown placement.

When Are Crowns the Better Option?

Crowns are a good choice if a tooth has deep or structural issues. They help keep teeth intact and protect them from further damage that might require extraction.

Crowns are also better than veneers if grinding damages a tooth’s edge.

Veneers don’t ‘wrap-around’ tooth edges, so teeth that appear damaged by grinding require crowns.

Teeth that have been ground down typically need crowns to upgrade their appearance.

Crowns are often excellent solutions for damaged teeth and can significantly change the shape and colour of existing teeth.

There are several reasons a dental crown might be made for a tooth.

Dentists often use them to:

• Cover a damaged or missing filling.
• Protect a decayed tooth.
• Hold a dental bridge in place.
• “Cap” a dental implant to create a functioning tooth
• Restore a broken, ground down, or incomplete tooth.

When Are Porcelain Veneers a Great Choice?

Veneers are perfect for minor, aesthetic issues in teeth at the front of the mouth.

Here are some cases in which veneers work well:

• Cracks and chips can be covered with veneers, preventing further damage to your teeth and leaving you with crack-free teeth and a stunning smile.
• Significant gaps between teeth. Using porcelain veneers, the size of these gaps can be reduced or eliminated.
• Misaligned (or crooked teeth) can be treated with porcelain veneers instead of braces.
• Stains. Porcelain veneers cover the teeth in white and act as a barrier, making teeth more resistant to staining.

Insurance and Cost Considerations

One factor influencing your decision is whether or not your treatment is covered by insurance. In many cases, crowns are considered restorative, mainly when used to protect or strengthen a tooth, and may be covered under your dental plan.

However, porcelain veneers are typically considered cosmetic and less likely to be covered. It’s always worth checking with your provider to see what’s included in your coverage.

Caring for Your Veneers and Crowns

Whether you choose porcelain veneers or crowns, both require similar care to keep them looking and functioning their best.

Even though both materials are highly resistant to decay and discolouration, cavities and gum disease can still affect the natural tooth underneath.

Here are a few tips to keep your restorations in great shape:

• Every day, brush and floss to keep your teeth healthy.
• Avoid biting complex objects like ice or pens.
• Limit highly pigmented foods and drinks, especially with veneers.
• Visit your Cheltenham dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleans.

It’s also important to note that while these restorations are durable, they won’t last forever. With proper care, veneers and crowns can last 10 to 15 years before needing replacement.

A Trusted Partner for Your Smile

Captivate Dental offers the best possible care, allowing our patients to make informed choices.

Our competent, compassionate staff gives value through top-notch diagnostic skills and efficient use of the best quality materials.

Captivate Dental offers a range of cosmetic and preventative dental procedures for everyone!

Discover Your Best Smile in Cheltenham

If you’re considering porcelain veneers or crowns, consult us today. Our caring team in Cheltenham is ready to help you explore options and find the best treatment plan for your unique smile.

Call us at (03) 9553 1249, or use our convenient online booking page.

We’re located at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.