Veneer and Crown are both 2 popular cosmetic dentistry treatments that offer many benefits. In this article you will learn about Veneers Vs. Crowns, pros and cons, cost the procedure. At Smile Angels of Beverly Hills, we offer veneers or crowns to people trying to correct issues with the appearance and condition of their teeth. Both options have similarities, and are popular options in restorative dentistry. Therefore you may be wondering: what is the difference between a veneer and a crown? We are here to answer your questions.
Dr. Vafa understands that decisions made about your dental care are important. That is why we at Smile Angels of Beverly Hills have put together this article explaining veneers vs. crowns in-depth, including the similarities, differences, procedures, cost of dental veneers vs crowns, and the pros and cons of each option. If you have been wondering, “Are veneers or crowns better for me?,” then the information on this page will help you choose the best option for your specific needs.
[See: Veneers Los Angeles ]
Table of Contents
Veneers vs. Crowns – How Are They Similar?
Before diving into veneers and crowns differences, we will discuss how the two options are similar and why they can be so easily confused.
When it comes to veneers vs. crowns, they have many similarities. Both options are very popular to remedy aesthetic or structural issues with teeth. These issues include tooth yellowing, structural damage or chips, decaying teeth, misshapen or crooked smiles, uneven tooth sizes, and more.
Veneers and crowns are both color-matched to your existing teeth and then custom-made to fit your mouth in a way that looks the most natural. This creates the appearance of a new tooth and helps tremendously with dental health and confidence in our patients.
Despite this similarity in function, veneers and crowns are each unique ways of restoring teeth, therefore Dr. Vafa always considers their differences before pursuing one option over the other.
What Are Veneers, How Are They Different From Crowns, and Are They the Right Option for You?
Veneers are a very thin (1mm) layer of porcelain or other dental material that Dr. Vafa will place them as a face or cover to the front of a tooth. This is the biggest difference when it comes to veneers vs. crowns, as crowns completely cap a tooth on all sides.
The Process of Getting Veneers
Dr. Vafa can design the Veneers to match your teeth seamlessly, so we at Smile Angels of Beverly Hills will first make an impression of your teeth with scanning and molds. This allows us to shape the veneer to your mouth specifically and creates a natural-looking smile.
Before We place the veneers, the front enamel of the tooth much be shaved down to make space for the veneer and to provide a surface to which it can be bonded. Depending on how much filing is going to be necessary, a local anesthetic may be administered. We file down the front face of the tooth and use a medical-grade cement to bond the veneer to the surface we have created. Using an ultra-violet light, we dry the cement and ensure that the new veneer is firmly in place.
Are Veneers Right for Me?
Pros of Veneers:
- Require less filing of tooth than crowns
- Minimal tooth damage for otherwise healthy teeth
- Ideal for fixing minor issues, such as crooked smiles, shape correction, and uneven tooth sizes
- Lay more flush to the gumline than crowns, especially after time
- Less invasive procedure than crowns
Cons of Veneers:
- Leaves the back and sides of tooth exposed to new damage, decay, or buildup
- Not as durable as crowns
- Not an ideal option for repairing severe tooth damage or more serious dental health problems
- Procedure cannot be reversed
What Is a Crown, How Are They Different From Veneers, and Are They the Right Option for You?
Crowns are slightly thicker than veneers, measuring 2mm as opposed to 1mm, and completely cover the entire tooth surface on all sides instead of just the front. The are typically made of porcelain or other tooth-colored dental materials, but – in some situations- Dr. Vafa may use a metal alloy crown instead.
The Process of Getting Crowns
Much like with veneers, the process of getting crowns begins with us at Smile Angels of Beverly Hills making an impression of your teeth with molds and scans. We will use this impression to fully customize your crowns, creating a perfect fit for your mouth and ensuring a smile that is natural-looking.
We will then file or grind down the tooth on all surfaces. Essentially, we are creating a post to which the new crown can sit as a type of cap or cover over the existing tooth. Dr. Vafa may use a local anesthetic at this point in the procedure. After Dr. Vafa fills the tooth he will place the crown and adjust it until it fits perfectly. We will bond the crown to the existing tooth using medical-grade cement. Dr. Vafa will dry the cement with the use of an ultra-violet light.
Are Crowns Right for Me?
Pros of Crowns:
- More similar in appearance to natural teeth than veneers from all angles
- Ideal for more severe dental health issues and aesthetic damage like cracks or breaks
- Protects the entire natural tooth from further damage, buildup, or decay
- A more durable option than veneers
Cons of Crowns:
- A more invasive procedure than getting veneers
- You may damage your natural teeth trough extensive filing or grinding
- Can be a more painful process than getting veneers
- Overtime, crowns may be noticeable at the gumline
- A front teeth crown and full teeth crowns may move more than veneers
Veneers Vs. Crowns – Choosing the Right Option for You
After reading through the differences and pros and cons of veneers and crowns, we hope that it is easier for you to decide which option best suits your specific needs. Dr. Vafa and our Beverly Hills office recommends the following advice when it comes to choosing the correct procedure for you.
If you are trying to repair slight imperfections in the appearance of your front teeth, then veneers may be the ideal option for you. We suggest veneers as a solution for tooth discoloration, small chips or breaks, small gaps between teeth, uneven sizes of teeth, or slightly crooked smiles. Veneers can repair each of these issues with minimal damage to the original tooth.
Alternatively, crowns may be a great option for you when you are struggling with more severe appearance issues or when a dental health concern needs to be addressed. We suggest crowns as a solution for severely broken or cracked teeth, structurally weak teeth, tooth decay, and teeth that have been otherwise damaged by cavities, root canals, or other types of decay and buildup. Crowns can change the appearance of teeth with these issues while also protecting the remaining part of the natural tooth from further damage. If your concern is veneers vs crowns durability, then crowns will be the most durable option.
Some patients have asked us “Can veneers be put over crown?,” but the two materials will not bond together the same way they bond to natural tooth enamel.
If budget is a factor for you when it comes to choosing between veneers and crowns, we have gone over some information about crown and veneers cost below.
The Cost of Veneers
The price of veneers in Beverly Hills will depend on the material chosen. Composite veneers, which are not as durable as the porcelain option and will likely need to be replaced in a few years, typically cost between $1000-$3500 per tooth. Alternatively, a more durable porcelain veneer at Smile Angels of Beverly Hulls can cost anywhere from $700-$1200 per tooth.
[ See: Porcelain Veneers Cost Beverly Hills]
The Cost of Crowns
The price of crowns typically lies between $1000-$3500 per tooth, with porcelain options being more expensive than metal alloys. It is important to note that many patients receiving crowns are doing so to repair dental health issues such as cavities, decay, or root canals, and this price does not cover the cost of repairing those issues before placing the crown.
In Conclusion
When it comes to veneers vs. crowns, each option can be a great solution for common dental issues, both medical and aesthetic. We hope that you have learned more about the differences and similarities between veneers vs. crowns and are able to determine which option best suits your needs. Of course, a professional dental opinion is always recommended, so call Dr. Vafa and the team at Smile Angels of Beverly Hills to discuss your unique situation and get answers to your questions.