What is your reason for considering a smile makeover? Are any of your front teeth broken, missing, or stained? There are two options available to you if you need a dental crown or porcelain dental veneers, depending on whether the tooth is your entire tooth or if your natural teeth are healthy.

The best way to enhance your smile is by selecting the right crowns and veneers. Our Camas dentist can help you understand the differences between each.

Veneers vs. crowns in dentistry:

The debate between crowns and veneers has been going on for many years. Each procedure is different, and each one changes the way your teeth look. Veneers cover the front of your teeth while leaving the rest of your original tooth intact structurally. It is also possible to change the appearance of your teeth with crowns. The main difference is that crowns are used when there is significant damage (such as wear) or when a large filling is not appropriate.

A whiter, straighter smile can be achieved with both crowns and veneers. Veneers cover several teeth at a time, while crowns only cover specific teeth, so one is best suited for cosmetic treatments, while the other is best suited to restorative ones. It is typical for our cosmetic dentist to match the crown to the teeth on either side of it. If you want to change the way a tooth looks, you may have to address several teeth at the same time.

Both crowns and veneers are made of porcelain, but crowns are used for restorative purposes, while veneers are used for cosmetic purposes.

Porcelain veneers: uses and benefits:

If your natural tooth is healthy and you want to change its appearance, it’s easy to decide between veneers vs. crowns. Cosmetic veneers are strictly cosmetic. They are used to cover stains, mildly chipped teeth, small gaps in front teeth, etc.

Veneers cover only the front surface of your teeth and are usually installed in sets of 6-8, depending on how wide your smile is. One exception is when same-day composite veneers are used.

Veneers are your best option when you don’t need a crown and want to change the way your tooth structure looks. They can be customized down to the shade, shape, and size.

The cost of your veneers can vary depending on how many veneers you need since dental insurance usually does not cover veneers.

Dental crowns have many advantages:

In addition to protecting the tooth underneath from additional damage, our cosmetic dentist also uses dental crowns to protect the functional tooth surface after a root canal.

The general rule is that if you have a decayed part of your existing tooth that can’t be filled (because it’s too big), you should cover it with a crown. Crowns provide a thin layer of porcelain or porcelain fused to a metal shell around the tooth, offering both protection and enhancement. In contrast to veneers, crowns serve two purposes: to enhance your smile and prevent further tooth decay.

Our treatment coordinators can estimate the cost of crowns based on your insurance benefits schedule. Financing is also available.

Procedure for Veneers vs. Crowns:

Veneers and crowns are almost identical in the treatment process. However, since one is for cosmetic purposes and the other is for damaged teeth or dental implants, the amount of natural tooth structure will differ.

Typically, the process of obtaining crowns and veneers involves two appointments. The first will involve numbing and preparing your natural tooth to accommodate the restoration. This involves reducing a small amount of enamel around the entire tooth since a crown covers the entire surface. On the other hand, veneers act more like an artificial fingernail in which a dentist can alter the appearance of a single tooth. Most cosmetic dentistry veneers require minimal or no removal of enamel on the front surface of the tooth, depending on individual cases.

An impression of your teeth is taken and sent to the lab, where your veneer or crown material will be shaped to fit your tooth. You will wear a temporary crown or veneer in the meantime to protect your enamel from damage.

Is it possible to combine crowns and veneers?

Can you receive a combination of a crown and veneers for your teeth? Yes. This is a beneficial choice if you desire an enhanced smile but one tooth is in poor condition. Due to the extent of damage, a veneer cannot be placed, making a crown the only suitable option. Our use of tooth-colored porcelain allows for the veneers to be crafted from the same shade, ensuring a seamless match. For optimal outcomes, it is recommended to have all teeth within your smile zone treated concurrently.

Get in touch with us to schedule a consultation:

Are you trying to decide between crowns vs. veneers? Our Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Middletown can help you decide whether crowns or veneers are the best option for improving the appearance of your front teeth or repairing damaged ones. When you want to change the look of your teeth (what porcelain veneers are best at), we recommend veneers and crowns.