Veneers vs. Dental Crowns

If you’re dealing with dental imperfections, there are lots of great procedures that can help you get the beautiful smile you want. Understanding how each of them works is essential to making an informed decision you can commit to for the rest of your life.

In this short blog post, you can discover the major differences between two popular procedures: veneers and dental crowns.

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Everything About Veneers

Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain that gets attached to the front surface of a natural tooth. They can provide a significant change in your smile’s appearance in just one visit.

This common cosmetic dentistry procedure can be used to change the appearance of 1-2 teeth, or even a more extensive make-over. In either case, the veneers are custom-made to match your tooth shade, size, and general smile goals.

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Veneers are recommended for:

• Severe staining and discoloration
• Misshapen teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Irregularly-sized teeth
• Minor chips and cracks

Veneers recovery times:

• 1-2 weeks
• Patients may experience some minor to moderate sensitivity
• This is caused by the prepping process, which involves shaving a bit of tooth enamel

Pros:

• Permanent solution
• Can address a variety of cosmetic concerns
• Can last 10-15 years
• Maintenance involves usual oral hygiene habits
• Provide natural results
• Application is done in one visit

Cons:

• Irreversible procedure (requires life-long commitment)
• You need generally healthy teeth to get veneers

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Everything About Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are caps used to cover a natural tooth. Think of them as “hats” that can change a tooth’s appearance, and restore its strength.

Crowns can be made from metals, porcelain, resin, or a combination of materials. Like veneers, they are custom-made to suit the rest of your teeth, leading to a natural restoration.

Dental crowns are recommended for:

• Large cavities
• Dental infections
• Severe cracks or chips

Recovery times:

• 2-3 days for patients to get used to the new crown
• If the tooth was damaged and needed additional treatment (such as a root canal) recovery times can be longer

Pros:

• Provide natural results
• Can improve a tooth’s strength
• Protect the natural tooth from cavities
• Can be used to avoid a permanent extraction when a tooth is damaged
• Can last 10-15 years with the right care

Cons:

• Not recommended if the natural tooth is healthy.
• Expensive if you need crowns for multiple teeth

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Which One Is Best for You?

The answer depends on your specific case. For instance, if you have healthy teeth but want to change their appearance, veneers are a great choice for you.

If you only want to change the appearance of 1-2 teeth, which may also be dealing with some damage like chips, then dental crowns are the appropriate solution.

But, you don’t have to decide on your own. Our Wausau dentist will help you make an informed decision both for your oral health and smile aesthetics.

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Schedule an appointment at Skutak Dental today.