Veneers vs. Cosmetic Crowns

If you are struggling with how your smile looks, you actually have lots of great solutions at your fingertips!

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Cosmetic dentistry consists of many amazing treatments that can provide stunning results for your smile, from subtle and non-invasive, to huge smile makeovers that can completely change your smile's appearance.

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In this article, let’s look over two very popular types of cosmetic treatments: veneers and cosmetic crowns. 

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What Are Veneers?

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Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that get bonded to the front surface of your teeth. As a result, a veneer can completely change the way your tooth looks, and address:

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• Severe discoloration
• Minor cracks or chips
• Irregularly sized teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Gaps between teeth, etc.

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To get veneers, the dentist needs to shave off a bit of the tooth’s natural enamel to create a rough surface. This allows the veneers to properly bond to the tooth and remain in place, but it also makes getting veneers an irreversible procedure. 

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What Are Cosmetic Crowns?

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Cosmetic crowns are dental caps designed to cover a natural tooth that’s been damaged. The cap is designed to match the patient’s tooth color, size, and shape, and is used as a restorative and cosmetic procedure.

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Crowns can be made from a lot of materials, such as porcelain, metal, or zirconia, all of which can provide long-term restorations.

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What Are the Differences Between Veneers and Cosmetic Crowns?

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• Effects on natural teeth - Both veneers and cosmetic crowns are considered permanent procedures because their prep involves irrevocably changing the tooth. For veneers, they require shaving the tooth enamel, which does not regenerate. For cosmetic crowns, the tooth needs to be completely resized for the crown to fit on top. By comparison, veneers have a much smaller effect on the natural tooth.

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• Function - Veneers are a purely cosmetic procedure. While they can help address minor cracks or chips, they are commonly used to improve how the smile looks. Crowns have a restorative function, and because of the need to reshape the tooth, they are not recommended for healthy teeth.

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• Results - Both crowns and veneers can offer impressive results. However, if you have multiple teeth dealing with cosmetic issues, it’s much more efficient to use veneers than add singular dental crowns on each tooth, particularly if your teeth are healthy.

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• Insurance - Dental crowns, when used to restore a tooth, may be even covered by dental insurance. Veneers, being a purely cosmetic procedure, are usually paid out of pocket.

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How to Tell Which One Works for You?

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If you have trouble choosing between veneers and cosmetic crowns, we recommend seeing Dr. Dallin Birch for a consultation. Based on a thorough oral assessment, you can unlock your most optimal path to healthy and stunning teeth!

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To get started, book an appointment at Gallery Dental Studio online, or call us at (480) 470-8508 today if you have more questions.

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