Dental Veneers vs Dental Crowns: All You Need To Know
Dental Veneers and Dental Crowns are among the most common cosmetic dental treatments today. We know we can enjoy the benefits of a nice smile, and fortunately there are some great cosmetic procedures to achieve one.
At Ocean Breeze Prosthodontics we specialize in both porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers to make your smile look gorgeous. Here are a couple of key points we want to focus on, so you can get a detailed picture of what cosmetic treatment would suit your needs best.
Main Difference Between Dental Veneers and Dental Crowns
The key difference between dental veneers and dental crowns is the portion of the tooth they cover. Crowns, also called caps, typically cover the entire remains of a tooth, while veneers only cover the front surface of the tooth, which the person shows when smiling.
So, What Exactly Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain or composite material de
signed to cover the front surface of your teeth only. They are intended to improve your smile by balancing the size, shape and color of your whole smile. These veneers or shells are bonded to the front part of your teeth and can be used to fix a variety of dental issues, such as:
chipped teeth
gaps between teeth
accelerated wear
discoloration
or misalignment
Materials
Dental veneers can be made from a variety of materials, such as porcelain, composite resin, and ceramic, The shell is designed with these materials to match to the natural shade of your teeth.
Dental Veneers use a special adhesive or cement. Because their function is more aesthetic than protective, Veneers can help turn a bad looking smile into a white even picture perfect one. But Veneers will not restore a damaged or missing tooth.
Veneers are a minimally invasive treatment and, in some cases, they can be placed without reshaping the tooth at all.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are caps that are placed
over a real reshaped tooth or over an implant. Dental crowns are mainly used to protect a damaged tooth, either because the tooth has broken, worn down or after endodontic treatment. Their function is protective and substitutive as well as aesthetic. This is why Crowns make a stronger and more durable dental treatment.
A dental crown or cap acts as a new and renewed dental piece in its own. Many times when the root of the tooth is damaged, the dentist or specialust needs to place an implant to be able to fit the crown on top of this implant screw. Dental Crowns are also custom-made to simulate the natural tooth and replace it for all functions.
More Differences Between
Porcelain Veneers and Porcelain Crowns.
1. Covered Area
Dental veneers are limited to covering the external face of the tooth to improve its appearance.
Crowns, on the other hand, must completely cover the remaining real tooth or the implant to ensure that there is no leakage. Only in this way will it also have the necessary adjustment to carry out the biting function and support occlusal loads.
2. Grinding
Tooth grinding consists of reducing the natural volume of the tooth so that the prosthesis to be placed, be it a veneer or a crown, fits correctly.
It is essential to grind the tooth before placing a crown, reducing it by about 2 millimeters. However, this is not always necessary in the case of veneers.
Advances in technique have made it possible to make very thin veneers, like a contact lens, and ultra-thin porcelain veneers can be placed without grinding. Even so, if the actual tooth were to be milled to adhere the esthetic veneer, it would be minimally reduced: only between 0.3 and 0.7 millimeters.
3. Purpose
Veneers are used if you are looking for cosmetic improvement only. This is, if you have chipped teeth, or you want to change the shape, size, color of a tooth.
Crowns, on the other side, have a more complete, functional purpose. They are used when a tooth is severely damaged, broken or missing, and needs replacement.
For this last option, crowns are used after dental implant surgery.
4. Teeth On Which They Are Placed
Veneers have an aesthetic purpose so they are generally bonded to the teeth that are visible in the smile: the upper central and lateral incisors.
Crowns have a functional purpose so they can be
placed on any tooth. It is common to get caps to placed on the premolars and molars, as these are the teeth that tend to accumulate more decay.
5. Material
Veneers can be made of porcelain or composite. Porcelain or ceramic veneers have the main advantage of being more aesthetic, resistant and durable. Plus th
ey are less likely to lose their brightness over time. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last up to 30 years.
Composite veneers, on the other hand, require periodic check-ups so the dentist can polish and strengthen them. But their main benefit is that they are substantially cheaper than porcelain veneers.
Crowns can also be made of porcelain, metal-porcelain, zirconium, and in the past even gold and metal crowns were popular. Crowns can be placed on the visible teeth but also on molars, so this will determie and guide you in the type of material that you need. Sometimes, for reasons of strength and functionality, metal-porcelain caps are almost always used for molars, as they are not visible when smiling, and are cheaper.
Who Is a Candidate for Porcelain Crowns and Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain Veneers are recommended:
- When you have an undesired tooth color.
- After teeth whitening when the color of your teeth has not changed.
- When you are not happy with the shape and position of your teeth.
Porcelain crowns are recommended:
- When you have damaged teeth due to severe cavities
- When you have fractured teeth.
- When your teeth are weak and have a higher risk of fracture.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
- The ceramic material with which they are composed has a high empathy with the tissues of the mouth, therefore, if they do not contain any part of metal, probably will not cause any kind of allergy.
- They are usually very light, they make your smile look natural, due to the beauty and the transparency of the ceramic material.
- Porcelain crowns are much cheaper than zirconium crowns, though the latter have better esthetic results.
- Their main advantage is that they are fixed, which makes them different from removable dental prostheses.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
- Smile: You will have a natural looking smile, without worrying about its resistance for a considerable time.
- Natural Look: It offers the possibility of designing a totally different denture, but with a very natural look.
- Hardness: Teeth become more resistant to damage because they acquire a hardness similar to natural tooth enamel.
- Durability: Esthetic resin veneers last up 8 to 10 years. Porcelain veneers have longer durability.
Main Benefits of Both, Crowns and Veneers
Dental Veneers and Dental Crowns are two of the best and most modern cosmetic dental treatments that can restore the natural appearance of healthy, youthful teeth.
Improved Appearance
Having dental veneers and crowns can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth by correcting dental issues such as worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, tooth discoloration, and chips or cracks.
Improved Speech
Having an effective dental treatment such as veneers or crowns can improve speech in a variety of ways. Firstly, they can correct dental issues, such as worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, tooth discoloration, and chips or cracks, all of which can cause mispronunciations and slurred speech.
Secondly, they provide a protective quality which can help to eliminate the need for more extensive treatments.
Having your teeth restored leads to better pronunciation and speech.
Reduced Jaw Pain
Having dental veneers and crowns can reduce jaw pain because they provide a protective barrier between the teeth, preventing further damage and wear caused by grinding.
Reduced Anxiety Around Public Speaking
A dental cosmetic treatment such as veneers or crowns can help reduce anxiety around public speaking as it can give you a boost in your self-confidence and quality of life. You can precisely design exactly what you want your smile to look like, allowing you to quickly enjoy the results. This can help give you the confidence you need to deliver a great speech in social settings.
Improved Self-Confidence
Having a nice smile can improve self-confidence by restoring the natural appearance of teeth that are misshapen, discolored, chipped, or gapped. Veneers and Crowns provide a smooth, aesthetically pleasing smile that can make a person feel happier and more confident.
Prosthodontists specialize in creating veneers that look natural and fit comfortably, so contact one of our specialists to learn more about how dental veneers and crowns can improve your self-confidence.
Reduced Occurrence of Cavities
Having dental veneers and crowns reduces the occurrence of cavities because they provide an additional layer of protection to teeth by sealing off the vulnerable areas, which helps to prevent bacteria and other debris from causing decay.
Increased Durability and Longevity
Having dental veneers can increase durability and longevity by maintaining good oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing, flossing, and regularly scheduled dental cleanings. By doing so, the underlying tooth structure is protected from issues such as staining and decay which can lead to damage of the veneers. As a result, proper maintenance can help to prolong the life of veneers and crowns.
PRICING:
What is the Cost of Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are usually more expensive than composite veneers, but the benefits are also greater.
The placement of dental veneers can cost between U$800 and U$2.500 per tooth. This treatment is considered to be one of the best for making teeth look clearer, as well as helping to correct imperfections in the teeth.
What is the Cost of Porcelain Crowns?
The price of crowns depends a lot on the material used. For instance, porcelain fused to metal crowns are the least expensive while E-max and Zirconia crowns are the most expensive.
Porcelain crowns are the ones used the most. The cost of porcelain dental crowns or all-porcelain dental crowns varies, but is between $1000 and $2500 per dental crown.
If you are curious about prices and would like a clearer picture, please contact Ocean Breeze Prosthodontics.
Are Veneers and Crowns Covered by Insurance?
Unfortunately, insurance does not generally cover cosmetic dental procedures, so veneers must be privately financed by the patient. However, some dental plans may reimburse a percentage of the amount paid.
Crowns can be covered by insurance if it is considered a medical necessity. Generally, a dental insurance plan will only cover a percentage of the procedure. You always have to check the amount your insurance can cover because this changes according to your company and plan.
PROCEDURES: The Fitting Process
The fitting process of porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns varies significantly.
VENEERS: Which are the steps to follow?
- The patient goes through a Comprehensive Exam
- To prepare the teeth, your dentist usually removes a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of the teeth. This leaves room for veneers so your teeth look natural. Local anesthesia is used during the process.
- The dentist makes an impression of the teeth and chooses the shade of color that will fit your smile.
- While a lab prepares the veneers, the dentist can give you temporary veneers made of resin to wear while you wait for the definite ones.
- Once the porcelain veneers are ready, the dentist places them on your teeth to check the fit and shape. Before they are bonded to the tooth, any modifications needed are made.
- Follow-up: As with all dental esthetic procedures, it is necessary to follow up periodically, ideally at least twice a year.
CROWNS: Which are the steps to follow?
- The patient also goes trough a Comprehensive Exam
- In order to provide a good support to the crown, the tooth must be reduced. Local anesthesia will be used on the tooth to be treated.
- The dentist takes an impression and sends it to the laboratory for the crown to be made.
- A temporary acrylic crown will be placed on the tooth.
- When the crown is ready, it is tried and any adjustments needed are made.
- Finally, the crown is fixed with a special glue.
If you are considering any of these dental techniques, do not hesitate to consult Ocean Breeze Prosthodontics. Our professionals will guide you in your decision and will assist you in the dental process. Contact us!