Firstly, what are the fundamental differences?
Veneers are made from an extremely thin layer of material, not more than 1mm in fact. In most cases, this material will be porcelain, and it will be carefully bonded to the face of your current tooth.
Crowns cover the whole tooth and come in a little thicker at around 2mm. The material used can also be porcelain, but can also be a metal alloy or PFM, which stands for porcelain fused to a metal alloy.
So how do you determine if you should choose a veneer or a crown? This depends on your specific problems and the present condition of the teeth. Common conditions that require restoration are tooth discoloration, tooth decay, weak teeth, broken or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth.
It’s also worth noting that both coverings, whether crown or veneer, will be matched to the color of your teeth, but this is not the case for metal alloy crowns.
What is a veneer?
Due to the fact that they only cover the front of the tooth, veneers are considered a less invasive treatment than crowns. More of the original tooth is left intact. The veneer procedure starts with the grinding down of around half a millimeter of the face of the tooth in order to make the surface rough. This is done to create an effective bonding surface. In some cases, especially with the newer veneer types, not so much grinding is required. A local anesthetic is often applied as the grinding process can be painful. Also, the tooth must have sufficient enamel for the veneer to properly bond to the surface.
What does the veneer process involve?
By using a mold or taking a digital scan, your dentist will get an exact impression of your tooth. If your dentist doesn’t have the appropriate facilities, this may then be sent to a lab. A temporary veneer may be attached to your tooth if it’s trimmed a lot. This is just to keep you going while the real one is being made. At this point, the temporary veneer will be replaced by your real and permanent one. A special kind of cement is used to attach it and ultraviolet light is used to make this material set. If you grind your teeth at night you’ll be required to wear a guard when you sleep to protect your new veneer, but apart from this, the tooth won’t move much.
What is a crown?
As previously mentioned, crowns are whole-tooth coverings, and because of this, much more of the tooth requires grinding down to prepare the surfaces. In the case of tooth decay, the decayed portion of the tooth will have to be removed before the crown can be placed. If this requires a lot of removal of material, the tooth will actually have to be built back up before the crown can be fixed to it. Damaged teeth may also need rebuilding first. These rebuilding processes often require a local anesthetic.
What does the crown process involve?
As with veneers, a mold or digital scan will be taken to take a precise measurement of the tooth or teeth in question. This will then be sent to a special lab for the crown to be made, provided that your dentist doesn’t have their own facility for this. Also, like the veneer process, a temporary version of the crown may be placed onto the tooth so you can make use of it while you wait for the permanent version to be made. Once your crown is prepared, the temporary crown will be removed and your permanent crown will then be carefully fitted and adjusted until your bite is correct and the fit is perfect. Once your dentist is satisfied with the position, the cement will be applied. In the case of crowns, it’s occasionally possible that teeth can move a little which can have an impact on your bite. If this occurs, further adjustment by your dentist will be needed.
How to choose the right treatment for you?
If your tooth has significant complications such as a root canal, a very big filling or is very worn down, then the best choice is likely a crown. On the other hand, If your tooth is in decent shape and more or less intact, and this is basically a cosmetic procedure, then a veneer is the way to go.
What are the costs of each?
Both of these procedures can be expensive. Costs are of course subject to factors such as tooth size and position, and the area in which you live. Veneers and crowns count as cosmetic dentistry and as such are not covered by most insurance programs, and in the majority of cases, dental plans have a maximum yearly limit of coverage. Even so, check with your insurer to find out exactly what is covered.
Veneer Costs
The per tooth cost range for veneers is $925 to $2,500. This is the price for porcelain veneers, which are longer lasting than composite veneers. The range for composites is $250 to $1,500.
Crown Costs
The main factors involved in costing a crown procedure are tooth size, amount of required preparation and the choice of material. The per tooth price range for crowns is $1,000 to $3,500, and these prices do not include any preparatory groundwork needed such as tooth rebuilding or root canals. As with veneers, porcelain crowns are a little more pricey but also more durable.
How to manage the costs?
Many dentists have payment plans or other ways that you can spread out your payments, sometimes even without interest. Don’t forget to ask about these. Also, shop around different dentists in your area and make price inquiries.
You can also do some research to see if there are any dental schools nearby, as this may mean that you can have a dental student perform your procedures at a significantly lower price. Of course, it goes without saying that they will be under proper supervision.
Veneers vs. Crowns: Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of veneers
May look better in the long run aesthetically because they won’t reveal a gum margin. This can sometimes happen with crowns.
Require less trimming and grinding, so more of your original tooth is left.
Very little tooth movement.
Disadvantages of veneers
More areas of the tooth are open to the possibility of decay.
May need replacing after 5-10 years, especially if the composite variety.
Non-reversible.
May not be covered by insurance due to being a cosmetic procedure.
Advantages of crowns
More protection from potential decay due to the whole tooth being covered.
Look and feel exactly like your normal teeth, especially if they are porcelain.
Some dental insurance plans will cover at least part of the cost.
Disadvantages of crowns
In order for the crown to be fitted, more of the original tooth needs to be ground down.
In some cases, gum pain can occur, and you may be very sensitive to hot and cold at the start.
Over time, damage can occur to the porcelain as it is a fragile material.
If you have a PFM crown, there is a small visible dark link between the crown and the original tooth.
Things to bear in mind for your dentist visit
Find out what experience your dentist has with each procedure, and clearly establish what the costs look like and whether your insurance can help contribute to them.
Find out if other options such as implants or dentures are an option.
Ask your dentist how durable he thinks the materials will be and how long they will last.
If there are problems down the line, will the initial price cover any adjustments?
Will a mouthguard be necessary for protection?
Will any special care be required to look after the veneer or crown?
Final Thoughts
One of the most important considerations, when faced with the choice between a veneer or a crown, is that veneers require less reduction of the original tooth than crowns do. In addition, veneers generally look better aesthetically. For these reasons, veneers are the preferred choice unless the existing state of the tooth is so bad that it requires a full crown.
Although they are both expensive procedures to undertake, veneers and crowns are capable of solving a lot of dental problems and increasing aesthetics significantly. Veneers are primarily used for cosmetic adjustments and covering imperfections, especially on the front teeth. Crowns are installed in more serious situations involving tooth decay or significant breakage of teeth, as well as root canals.
Once you get your veneer or crown, it’s crucial that you continue to attend dental checkups regularly to keep them in a good state, as well as continuing to practice the same high level of dental hygiene you always should.