How are Veneers better than Crowns? Explained

Whenever you have dental imperfections, the dentist can recommend various solutions. The most common dental solutions are dental veneers and crowns. But, one thing we need to note is that dental veneers and crowns are similar and different at the same time. They are similar in the type of problems but differ in design and durability. It is essential to know the difference between the two before getting crowns or dental veneers on Palm Coast, FL.

What are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front surface to change its shape or color. They can repair chips, cracks, and other types of damage. It can also be used to change the length or shape. They are made from porcelain which is similar in hardness and strength to natural tooth enamel, and they must be custom-made for each patient.

How do Veneers Work?

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are placed over your teeth to improve their appearance. They can be used to hide damage, replace missing teeth, or improve your smile.
Veneers are often made from porcelain but can also be made from composite resin. Porcelain is more durable than composite resin, but it is also more expensive.

Dental veneers are made from a dental composite material shaped like a tooth and then glued on top of the natural tooth.

What are Dental Crowns?

Teeth crowns encase the entire tooth and can be made of porcelain, gold, or other metal. They are placed on top of the natural teeth to protect them from damage and help maintain their shape.

Veneers vs. Crowns: What are their Differences?

There are several differences between these two dental restorations, and they include:

• Appearance

Dental veneers are thin shells fixed on the front part of the enamel. They are primarily used to repair minor dental imperfections like discoloration. Dental crowns are caps that encase the entire tooth to change its appearance of the tooth.

• Purpose

While they may appear to fix similar problems, the difference comes in severity. If you have severe decay, you would need to have a crown placed over it, cemented in place. Veneers only cover up the front and are used to repair chips, cracks, and discoloration. A veneers dentist near you can recommend dental veneers to lengthen short teeth.
Dental crowns are also used on other procedures like dental bridges, implants, and root canals.

• The thickness of the restorations

The veneers are thinner than the crowns. Because of this design, it means that the dentist will slightly trim the enamel to fix them. Dental crowns are thicker since they encase the teeth and are used to repair severe dental problems.

• How they are fixed

Another difference between veneers and crowns is how they are made. Both veneers and crowns are fixed similarly and require two dental visits.

The dentist examines your teeth and reshapes the teeth depending on the thickness of the veneers or crowns. A mold of your trimmed teeth is taken to make the restorations at the lab, and this process can last for at least three weeks. The reshaping process can cause tooth sensitivity, and the dentist will cover the teeth with temporary veneers or crowns.

• Durability

Crowns last longer than the veneers, but only by a few years. The veneers can last for about ten years, while dental crowns last for 15 years. How long these restorations last will depend on how well you care for them. It is important to maintain proper dental practices to keep decay at bay. Veneers and crowns cannot decay, but the teeth underneath can develop cavities. But remember, the veneers can crack, chip, and wear out with time. When this happens, visit a dental office in Palm Coast for assistance.

• Cost

Costs of veneers vs. crowns are not the same. Veneers are considerably cheaper than crowns, but they are less durable and cannot be used to cover missing teeth.
Crowns are more expensive than veneers because they require more time and effort to create. They also last much longer than veneers, which is why they are worth the investment.

Are Veneers Better Than the Crowns?

This will depend on why you need to restorations in the first place. Dr. Trejos may recommend dental veneers if you have minor cracks, chips, and tooth discoloration. Dental crowns are more suitable for severe decay, cracks, and chips.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Palm Coast Family Dentistry for more information about dental veneers and how they differ from crowns.