What’s the Difference Between Crowns and Veneers?
If you have permanently stained, chipped, worn, or cracked teeth, then you might be looking to restore or enhance the appearance and function of your smile. Either crowns or veneers (or a combination of the two) could be your answer. Crowns and veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth, but the two are quite different. Read on to learn more about crowns and veneers and which treatment option is best for you.
All About Dental Veneers
Veneers are typically used to correct cosmetic issues and improve the appearance of teeth. They are thin, porcelain structures designed to match (or improve) the patient’s natural tooth color.
Veneers only attach to and cover the front of a patient’s teeth. As a result, they cannot improve the appearance of the top of the tooth. This also means that most of the original tooth is retained during tooth preparation, as a dentist will only need to shave a small portion of the enamel from the front of the teeth to be covered. Veneers are permanent structures, designed to remain in a patient’s mouth for life. Due to their thin structure, however, they can be quite delicate. As a result, it’s recommended that individuals with veneers avoid chewing any hard objects to preserve their dental work.
Since veneers are usually cosmetic in nature and not typically considered medically necessary, most dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of veneers.
All About Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can fix cosmetic concerns, but they are most commonly used to restore a tooth’s structure and functionality, when a structural problem, such as a crack, excessive wear, or root canal, is present.
Dental crows are usually made of porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal. They are designed to cover the entire visible portion (above the gum line) of teeth. When preparing a tooth for a crown, the dentist must trim roughly 60% to 75% of the original tooth. Crowns are stronger than veneers, but individuals with crowns should also be careful about chewing hard objects.
If the reason for installing a crown is deemed medically necessary and not purely cosmetic, then some dental plans and insurance policies will cover at least a portion of the cost of dental crowns.
Schedule a Smile Restoration Consultation
If you have dental issues, such as discoloration, chips, or cracked teeth, then we encourage you to discuss your treatment options with our dentist, Dr. Christopher Fotinos. We offer a complete list of cosmetic and routine dental services designed to both improve and restore your smile. Our dentist can work with you to determine which treatment options will best address your unique concerns.
