So many times, we get patients who walk in and say, “One dentist told me I need veneers. Another said I need crowns. My third cousin on my mom’s side got veneers, and they’re horrible. They should have gotten crowns. What’s the difference?” That’s a great question.
Introduction to Crowns and Veneers
At the end of the day, both crowns and veneers are designed to protect teeth or make them look aesthetically more appealing. Of the two, veneers are going to be the more conservative option.
What Are Veneers?
By veneer, basically, what I mean is we reduce less than a millimeter of tooth structure, basically on the front side of the tooth, kind of like a press-on nail. We remove just enough tooth structure so we can bond a thin jacket of porcelain onto the front. Veneers are always made out of ceramic, which is one of the main differences compared to crowns. Veneers are made out of ceramic so that we can bond them to the tooth.
Suitability of Veneers
When you’re looking at veneers versus crowns, you have to weigh a couple of different factors. Veneers typically go on healthy teeth because if you have a lot of fillings or the tooth is broken down and has decay, and there’s not enough healthy tooth structure for the veneer to bond to. Veneers are bonded onto that outer enamel layer, so we have to be really conservative by nature; otherwise, they’ll fall off. Veneers are typically only used on front teeth. There are occasions where we can do something in the back, but traditionally speaking, veneers are going to be done on your front teeth. Veneers have a limitation on how much tooth we can cover and replace. If your teeth are pretty much in the right position, where we want them to be, and they’re healthy, veneers are probably going to be a great option because we can be more conservative and camouflage what you’ve got underlying. With veneers, we don’t wrap around the backside of the teeth, so you still maintain your natural tooth structure and bite.
What Are Crowns?
Structure and Application of Crowns
Crowns are kind of like the next step up from veneers. They involve removing tooth structure circumferentially, basically all the way around the tooth, about a millimeter, millimeter, and a half in some areas. This allows us to give space for the restorative material. A crown is like a cap that goes all the way over the tooth and encompasses the whole tooth.
When to Use Crowns
If you’ve got a tooth that has a big filling and replacing the filling would leave too little healthy tooth to hold a new filling, a crown is a great solution. Crowns not only protect that tooth but also give it the appearance of where it needs to be. A lot of times, when we do full mouth reconstruction, crowns are necessary because we have to protect the teeth underneath and build the bite and how the teeth come together. Crowns cover not only the front of the tooth but also the sides, the backside, and the chewing surface. A crown can cover the tooth and recreate how it looks in your mouth, whereas a veneer just goes on the front and hides the tooth underneath it.
Cost Considerations
Both crowns and veneers are permanent solutions designed to be cemented or bonded into place. You brush and floss them like your regular teeth, and they give the appearance of an ideal smile and aesthetics.
Pricing at Our Office
So, what’s the cost difference? If a veneer is thin and a crown is big, what’s the cost difference? In our office, the price is the exact same. I do that for one reason: I never want the cost to drive the treatment plan. I want to make sure that we come up with the best plan and decide together what the best look for you will be. It’s going to be the most conservative and the best long-term plan for you. If we’re looking at saving a hundred dollars here or $200 there and compromising your mouth in the process, I don’t want to go down that road. I would much rather decide that option A is crowns and option B is veneers. The cost is the exact same. If your mouth is in pretty good shape, let’s do veneers. If your mouth would really benefit from having crowns to protect the underlying tooth, then crowns it is. This way, you can make the decision with me without worrying about the impact of finances.
Conclusion
If you have questions about whether crowns, veneers, or even another treatment is best for your teeth, give us a call. We’d love to have you come in. I would like to talk with you and show you what your options are. I’m Dr. Brett Langston, prosthodontist and owner of Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialist, and I’m here to help you watch your mouth.
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