Dental Veneers vs. Crowns: What’s the difference?

At our clinic, two popular aesthetic dentistry procedures we often carry out are dental veneers and dental crowns, and patients often ask about the difference between the two. Granted, both veneers and crowns are often used to treat the following conditions:

They are somewhat similar in their design process and appearance; however, both have their own specifics and serve separate purposes in different situations.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain bonded to the front of teeth to give the impression of healthier, more pleasant looking teeth. They are usually used on the front teeth and designed to look like the rest of your neighbouring teeth. While veneers can be made from various materials, we prefer porcelain as porcelain veneers look the best and are longer lasting.

In order for a veneer to be placed, your tooth must have sufficient enamel. We also remove about 0.5mm of enamel from the treated tooth in order for the bonding procedure to take place.

Find out more about Dental Veneers with Dental Design today!

What is the process of getting dental veneers like?

Getting dental veneers briefly look like this:

  1. Your dentist will take an impression of your prepared tooth. At Dental Designs, we take X-rays, digital 3D scans and use the Digital Smile design tool to create the framework of your veneer and smile.
  2. For bigger cases (more than 4 teeth), we make a temporary set of veneers to allow you to try on your new smile for about a couple of days. For cases less than 4 veneers, this process might be simplified and we might be able to bond your veneers on the same day.
  3. If you are satisfied and once your final veneer is ready, we bond the veneer to your tooth permanently.

What are dental crowns?

Unlike veneers, dental crowns cover the entire tooth to provide protection and improve the appearance of your smile. Like veneers, crowns are made from a select few materials such as porcelain or composite resin, but we use high-quality ceramic due to their natural appearance and strength.

Compared to veneers, the procedure of getting crowns is more invasive and may require more trimming of your teeth. Local anaesthesia may be involved in some cases. If you have cavities or tooth decay, the decayed portions might need to be removed first. Here are some things to know before getting a dental crown.

What is the process of getting crowns like?

  1. Similar to dental veneers, we take impressions of your tooth with a digital CEREC scan to create a custom crown.
  2. We make your crown on the same day with High Quality materials. We call this a same day crown.
  3. Crown is cemented on.

Find out more about Dental Veneers with Dental Design today!

Main differences between veneers and crowns

  Dental Veneers Dental Crowns
Purpose More for aesthetic purposes,
not suitable if you have dental issues like tooth decay
More for aesthetic and functional purposes,
suitable if you have a very large cavity or crack,
discolouration from old fillings or wish to protect
your tooth after root canal treatment
Invasiveness Less invasive; about 0.5mm
of enamel is required to bond veneer
More invasive; the tooth needs to be filed down
in order to make space for the crown
Durability 10-30 years 10-15 years
Waiting time Patients can get their veneers on the day itself.
Temporary veneers might be needed to trial the smile.
Patients can get their crowns on the day itself

Is a veneer or crown more suitable for me?

This will largely come down to the condition of your affected tooth. Generally, if the damage is more aesthetic without any underlying dental issues at hand, then veneers are a better option. The best candidates for veneers are those with healthy teeth that have visible flaws, such as discolouration, cracks, chips or gaps. Those who wish to have bigger or smaller teeth can opt for veneers too.

However, if your tooth has damages like tooth decay, large cracks and cracked fillings that normal fillings cannot fix, then veneers may not be of help. Instead, a crown can cover the entire tooth’s surface, restoring the tooth’s health and giving it more strength.

If you think you are likely to have dental issues or more age-related wear to your teeth down the road, then perhaps it’s better to invest in a crown now to save you more dental work in future. But again, it comes down to several factors including budget concerns.

If you are unsure whether to get veneers or crowns, feel sure to reach out to us and our dentists are happy to help.

References

  1. Patel, D. R., O'Brien, T., Petrie, A., & Petridis, H. (2014). A systematic review of outcome measurements and quality of studies evaluating fixed tooth-supported restorations. Journal of prosthodontics : official journal of the American College of Prosthodontists, 23(6), 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopr.12160
  2. Janus, C. E., Unger, J. W., & Best, A. M. (2006). Survival analysis of complete veneer crowns vs. multisurface restorations: a dental school patient population. Journal of dental education, 70(10), 1098–1104.

Smile Design

What is Smile Design?

Smile Design is a branch of aesthetic dentistry that incorporates different dental procedures to create a smile that matches your mouth and the rest of your face. Under Smile Design, no two smiles are the same because of our unique characteristics and facial features. Things like gender, facial composition and even skin colour are taken into consideration. The Smile Design process uses the Golden Proportions concept, which is heavily used in design, architecture and engineering. When translated to aesthetic dentistry, the rule of Golden Proportions ensures the smile integrates harmoniously with the rest of the face (1).

In the past, patients could not have much control over their smile makeover and relied heavily on guesswork for the final result, only to be disappointed with their new smile. But with Smile Design, patients are included in every step of the process and have a say in their ideal smile, right from the shape of the teeth to the length of the gum.

How does Smile Design work?

At Dental Designs, we use a series of state-of-the-art technology to take dental impressions including full-frame digital photographs and 8k video recordings to analyse your facial expressions and dental proportions. This gives us a better understanding and objective guidance in crafting out your smile makeover.

Smile Design uses a combination of aesthetic dental procedures including dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign. The chosen treatment(s) will depend on the patient’s condition and desired new smile. For example, dental bonding or veneers are put in place to manage chipped teeth; dental bridges for multiple missing teeth; laser gum contouring for the excessive gum tissue and professional whitening for tooth discolouration.

Why choose Smile Design?

Smile Design gives you a designer, picture-perfect smile without the usual drawbacks of traditional braces(2).

Advantages of Smile Design

Speed

You get a makeover smile in as little as 7 days.

Minimal discomfort

At Dental Designs, we aim to make each dental procedure as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

Hassle-free

Unlike braces, you do not need to wear any appliances.

Extractions

Extractions are seldom required unless necessary.

Easily altered

Anytime you are not happy with anything, it can easily be changed.

Longevity

With proper dental maintenance, you get to keep your designer smile for a long time without relapse.

Getting a new smile at Dental Designs

Step 1: Consultation

At your first visit, we will discuss with you your expectations and go through the whole process, including a proposed plan and estimated final cost. We will also conduct a thorough examination that consists of digital photos, videos, dental impressions and X-rays to create your digital smile design.

Step 2: Designing the smile

The dental impressions taken are used to create a virtual smile design. This digital smile design is then translated to a 3D virtual model. This will be your smile design prototype.

Step 3: Preview of your smile design and mock ups

The design is presented to you and any adjustments are made on the spot. Once the design is approved, we will transfer the smile prototype into a mockup that can be fitted onto your teeth. This allows you to have a real-life preview of how your final smile would feel and look like. Again, any changes can be made.

Once the final smile design is approved, we will discuss with you the procedures needed to achieve your makeover smile and start work on what’s required.

Step 4: Fitting your new smile

Your smile makeover and final restorations will be put in place by our team of dental surgeons and specialists. There you have it — enjoy your new smile! We do a follow-up review with all patients about two weeks after so any fine-tuning or adjustments can be carried out.

Following this, we recommend that you come back for regular dental visits as basic at-home care might not be sufficient.

References

  1. Jafri, Z., Ahmad, N., Sawai, M., Sultan, N., & Bhardwaj, A. (2020). Digital Smile Design-An innovative tool in aesthetic dentistry. Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research, 10(2), 194–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobcr.2020.04.010
  2. Bhuvaneswaran M. (2010). Principles of smile design. Journal of conservative dentistry : JCD, 13(4), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-0707.73387

Henner Insurance - Henner Healthcare - Henner Dentist

Henner Insurance Dentist - Dental Designs Clinic is an Henner Healthcare Provider approved by Henner International Medical Network providing dental care for Henner.

For expatriate dental care, if you are looking for a reliable clinic with international standards of sterilization and hygiene, friendly doctors with up to date equipment, Dental Designs Clinic is located conveniently at Cecil Street and Raffles Place Singapore.

Looking for an Henner Dentist near Raffles Place? We are a Henner Healthcare Provider Dentist in CBD of Singapore. We answer some commonly asked questions about Henner Dental Insurance and how you can utilise your benefit or Henner insurance coverage with us, an Henner Dentist near Tanjong Pagar.

Henner Insurance
Henner Healthcare Partner

I am covered under the Henner Insurance, which dentist is on the Henner Healthcare Providers List?

We are a Henner Healthcare Partner located in CBD near Telok Ayer MRT and Raffles Place MRT. Enjoy convenient regular checkups and treatment with our Henner Insurance dentist near Tanjong Pagar. You can even come during lunch hour with us, Henner Dentist near Telok Ayer, Marina Bay, Chinatown, Shenton Way.

What Is Covered with Henner Healthcare Provider Dentist

Enjoy claiming your employee benefit or international expatriate cover with us. Your package will indicate the coverage you have with Henner Insurance.

How Do I claim my Henner Dental Insurance with a Henner Healthcare Partner Dentist?

As a Henner Insurance dental clinic, you can make payment for your dental care and submit a claim for reimbursement to Henner within the scope of your coverage.

Please bring your Henner Member card for claims with Henner Insurance and let us know when you book your appointment. If you have not received your physical Henner medical Insurance card, you may print and bring an e-card sent by Henner to your email to our clinic before your appointment.

How do I know if I am covered under the Henner Insurance for dental treatment?

If you have direct coverage under Henner, your card will have one of the following logos:

Some Groups covered by a Henner Scheme hold a card issued by XN Financial Services, which may not have the Henner logo. If the back of the card has Henner mentioned, you will be eligible for Henner Insurance coverage.

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Great Eastern Dental Insurance

Great Eastern Dental Clinic - Dental Designs Clinic is an Great Eastern Dental Clinic on the Great Eastern Dental Insurance List.
Looking for a Great Eastern Dental Clinic near Raffles Place? We are a Great Eastern Dental Clinic in CBD of Singapore. We answer some commonly asked questions about Great Eastern Dentist treatment and how you can utilise your employee benefit or Great Eastern insurance coverage fully with us, a Great Eastern Dentist near Tanjong Pagar.

As a Great Eastern Insurance Dental Clinic, you will get to enjoy Great Eastern dental claim on dental coverage for your dental treatment with us.

Enjoy claiming your employee benefit or insurance benefit with Dental Designs Clinic. As a Great Eastern dentist, enjoy dental coverage for regular checkups, scaling and polishing and fillings, etc. Other dental treatments are covered as well under Great Eastern dental insurance when you claim through a Great Eastern Dental Clinic.

Please bring your Great Eastern membership card for Great Eastern claims through us.

Dental Clinic in CBD located on the ground floor of Cecil Street and Raffles Place. As a Dentist near Telok Ayer, Marina bay, Shenton Way, Tanjong Pagar and Chinatown, you can walk to our dental clinic from Telok Ayer Street, Church Street, Amoy Street, Boon Tat Street, Club Street and Robinson Road. Parking is available right in the same building (Keck Seng Tower). For parking options near our Raffles Place branch are Capita Green Carpark and Republic Plaza Carpark.

Our clinic provides a full range of dental services to you using high-quality products from Germany and Switzerland. At Dental Designs Clinic, our dentists are trained in the latest high tech equipment such as a German SIRONA CEREC 3D CADCAM machine which can produce high quality, long lasting crowns in a day, compared to typical clinics which require 2 weeks for a crown.

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...Get Directions to Dental Designs Clinic