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.
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.
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Getting dental veneers briefly look like this:
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.
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| 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 |
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.
