Veneers vs Crowns – What’s the Difference?

Making the choice when it comes to veneers vs crowns can be quite a challenge, especially if you have no idea how different they are. Both dental restoration options are great, but the way they deliver their restorations are significantly different.

Hence the team at Village Green Dental Care would like you to know about veneers and crowns and their differences.

What Are Veneers?

These are thin shells, usually composed of porcelain or a resin composite, that are customised to fit over a tooth’s front surface.

A minute amount of the tooth’s enamel is removed in preparation for the veneer’s placement to help facilitate a natural look and better fit. Once the veneer is placed properly, the dentist uses a special adhesive to bond the veneer and tooth together.

What Are Veneers Used For?

Veneers function as solutions to a wide range of dental issues like:

• Stains or discolouration on teeth that do not respond to whitening agents.
• Chips, breaks and other minor impairments that need resolution.
• Crooked or misaligned teeth that can be adjusted and shifted into a more typical position.
• Gaps and spaces between teeth that detract from the facial profile.
• Uneven or asymmetrical teeth that can be shaped and contoured in a more uniform smile.

How Are Veneers Placed?

There are several steps involved in the placement of veneers.

1. It all begins with a consultation to examine a patient’s teeth and determine their suitability for veneers. The dentist conducting the consultation will also note the patient’s desired outcomes for the procedure.
2. If your dental health status is determined to be suitable, the dentist will prepare the tooth/teeth in question by removing some of the enamel from the tooth’s surface.
3. After preparations are complete, impressions of the teeth will be taken and veneers will be made in accordance with the impression’s dimensions. The dentist will give your temporary veneers during this period.
4. When the permanent set of veneers is ready, the dentist will remove the temporary ones, clean your teeth and bond the veneers with a special adhesive.
5. After they are set, the dentist will polish the veneers. This eliminates any extra adhesive as the veneers are made to look shiny and natural. 

Two to three appointments are usually required for the full process of veneer placement with the process taking a few weeks to complete satisfactorily.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

The price of veneers can fluctuate rapidly depending on a number of factors like the base material used in the manufacturing process, how many teeth need veneers, the dental practice, etc.

Veneers made of a resin composite are usually cheaper than those made of porcelain and they take less time to manufacture and less preparation time. However, porcelain veneers provide more durability, a longer lifespan and a better visual appearance than resin veneers.

The typical price of veneers can range from $500 – $2500 per tooth.

What Are Crowns?

Dental crowns are covers that are designed to surround a weakened or damaged tooth. They are essentially caps that fit over the entirety of the tooth, all the way down to the gum line.

They can be made from materials such as ceramics, metals, porcelain or a composite of these materials.

What Are Crowns Used For?

Dental crowns provide the following functions:

• Protecting teeth that are weak or damaged from further injury.
• Restoring the appearance, stability and function of teeth with chips, breaks and other impairments.
• Supporting a dental bridge and making it as stable as possible.
• Improving the aesthetics of stained, discoloured, misshapen or otherwise unsightly teeth.

How Are Crowns Placed?

Placing dental crowns involves the following steps:

1. A dentist carries out a preliminary examination to determine suitability for dental crowns. If the patient is deemed suitable for the process, the dentist will clean the tooth and shape it so the crown can fit better.
2. An impression of the tooth is taken and used to create the crown. If deemed necessary, a temporary crown is placed on the prepared tooth to protect it.
3. When the permanent crown is ready, the dentist will replace the temporary crown with it and check the fit. If the fit is good, then the crown will be permanently attached.
4. Finally, the dentist will provide aftercare instructions to ensure that the crown isn’t compromised.

How Much Do Crowns Cost?

The price of veneers can range widely when various factors like the material used to make the crown, where the crown needs to go, the preparation procedure, etc, are considered.

Dental crowns made of porcelain or ceramic materials tend to be more expensive, given the manufacturing process involved in creating them with a natural look. Metal crowns are usually cheaper but they are usually reserved for teeth that aren’t visible when smiling.

The typical price of dental crowns can range from $800 – $2500 per crown.

Veneers vs Crowns

Even though they are quite similar dental restorations, veneers and crowns differ in some key areas.

1. Crowns serve both cosmetic and restorative properties in repairing damaged teeth but veneers typically serve cosmetic purposes in improving the appearance of teeth that are misaligned, chipped, discoloured, etc.
2. Veneers are usually made of porcelain or a composite resin while crowns are made of a variety of materials like
3. The preparation required for veneer placement is much less than that needed for dental crowns. A significant portion of the tooth is removed to prepare it for a dental crown.
4. Dental crowns are stronger and more durable than veneers, so they are more likely to last much longer. Veneers are susceptible to cracking and breaking under significant pressure.

When Are Crowns Better Than Veneers?

In some specific situations, dental crowns provide a better solution than veneers. These include:

1. A tooth with severe decay or extensive damage.
2. A tooth with significant discolouration or malformation.
3. Covering a tooth that just had a root canal.
4. Protecting a tooth with a large filling.

When Are Veneers Better Than Crowns?

There are also some situations where veneers are more suitable than dental crowns. These include:

1. A mostly healthy tooth that needs cosmetic adjustment only.
2. When the issue at hand is minor and cosmetic
3. When the procedure needs to be quick
4. When the patient has good dental hygiene

Village Green Dental Care – Cosmetic Dentistry in Kanata

Veneers and crowns both provide restorative dental effects that can restore or improve the aesthetics and functionality of teeth. Choosing between the two will mainly depend on what your unique needs are. Given the proper maintenance, veneers and crowns can last for practically lifetimes.
Please contact us if you need any restorative dentistry procedures. Village Green Dental Care prides itself on our ability to deliver exceptional dental care through a talented team of doctors, dental hygienists, dental assistants, denturists and administrative staff. We provide top-of-the-line results when placing veneers and crowns in patients at affordable cost. With our help, your dental health is never in doubt.