Veneers and Crowns in Cosmetic Dentistry

When we talk about cosmetic dentistry, the first things which come to mind after teeth whitening are veneers and porcelain crowns. This is because these are one of the best options at cosmetically and functionally restoring damaged teeth. However, most people are not familiar with the differences between veneers and crowns. This article offers a comparison between these restorative options.

Before we proceed, it is best that we discuss the factors that influence the aesthetics of veneers and crowns when they are used for restoring the cosmetically essential front teeth.

What Constitutes a Good Smile?

Our front teeth are almost always visible whenever we speak or smile. That is why we take great care while restoring your front teeth so that they possess excellent aesthetics and make you look youthful, charming and beautiful. Some of the factors which influence the aesthetics of the front teeth include:

• Texture – The more life-like the texture of your teeth, the more pleasant will be your smile and facial appearance. The texture of crowns or veneers is dependent upon the quality as well as the procedure involved in making the prosthesis. At Dental Designs Clinic, we have the CEREC machine to digitally design and prepare your all-porcelain crowns and veneers, that creates a customised design of your teeth based on a huge database of natural teeth that were handpicked because of their pleasing appearance.

• Translucency – Healthy natural teeth tend to have a translucent outer layer known as the dental enamel, which not only protects the teeth but also gives them their characteristic shine. Keeping this in view, we prepare dental veneers and porcelain crowns having similar translucency to the natural teeth. The result is digitally designed veneers or crowns which become virtually indistinguishable from your teeth.

• Hue, Value and Chroma – The importance of colour and shade of a prosthesis cannot be denied. Hue, value and chroma are the parameters of colour which are essential in determining the aesthetics of front teeth and their restorations. At Dental Designs Clinic, we use digital software to determine these parameters so that the shade and colour of your prosthesis exactly match the neighbouring natural teeth.

Dental Veneers Vs Crown: How do they differ?

Now, let’s look at the comparison between veneers and crowns:

• Dental Veneers – These are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin which are attached to the front surface of the teeth to hide cosmetic defects and are used to fix various dental imperfections.

• Porcelain Crowns – Crowns, also known as tooth caps, are used to cover and protect damaged or decayed teeth. These are prostheses which rest over the entire visible surface of the tooth structure, and they are used for restoring the aesthetics, structure and function of severely damaged teeth.

In short, porcelain crowns are like the veneers. However, the veneers only cover the front surface of the teeth while the crowns cover the entire visible portion of the crown. 

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Pros of Dental Veneers

• Lesser need for tooth preparation – Since veneers only cover the front surface of the teeth, they require a lesser sacrifice of the natural tooth structure in comparison to the crowns. Therefore, there are lower chances of the development of sensitivity and teeth cavities when dental veneers are used.

• Durability – With proper care, you can expect your veneers to last for more than 15 years. Using our technology, we are able to use materials of high strength and translucency that allow us to extend the longevity of these restorations.

• Possibility of “No Tooth Reduction” – In suitable cases, we are able to place a dental veneer on your teeth without having to trim any tooth structure away. Custom veneers are designed to match your natural tooth structure and enamel. In these cases, there is no damage to your teeth at all.

Cons of Dental Veneers

• Less strength compared to dental crowns – Since veneers are thinner by nature, they do not have the same resistance to forces compared to their dental crown counterparts. Therefore, in rare circumstances, if the patient is a heavy teeth grinder, there is a chance of the veneer breaking. However, this can be managed with the use of night guards to protect your teeth from these excessive forces.

Pros of Porcelain Crowns

• Strength – We prepare porcelain crowns from high-quality dental ceramics using the CEREC system. Therefore, these crowns possess excellent strength and can be used for restoring grossly damaged teeth.

• Versatility – Dental crowns can be used for a variety of cosmetic, restorative and functional dental purposes.

• Durability – Dental crowns are made with high-quality porcelains using the CEREC system. If you take proper care of your natural and crown-supported teeth, you can expect your crowns to last for more than 15 years.

• Ability to change occlusion – Occlusion is how your upper and low jaws bite with each other. With dental crowns, we are able to change how you are biting so that you can function better. 

Cons of Dental Crowns

• Less Tooth Conservative – In comparison to veneers, porcelain crowns require the removal of higher amounts of natural tooth structure to become sufficiently strong and durable. Therefore, they carry higher chances of developing tooth sensitivity or secondary caries.

How Are Dental Veneers and Crowns Made?

1) CAD/CAM 3-D Milled: For this procedure, the veneers and crowns are individually milled from hardened blanks of porcelain, offering a balance of durability and esthetics.

2) Pressed: High strength porcelain is pressed into a mold under high heat and pressure. Pressed veneers and crowns can be made in thinner sections to conform to the tooth, and are suitable for cases which require less tooth to be drilled.

3) Layering: Milled and pressed restorations have the option to be layered with multiple porcelain layers, to further enhance their look. They are then stained and glazed by hand to match neighbouring natural teeth and give them life-like esthetics.

Which Option is Best for Me?

When it comes to comparing dental veneers and porcelain crowns, each restorative option has its own merits and demerits. As discussed earlier, the veneers mainly serve a cosmetic role. On the other hand, crowns are used for improving aesthetics as well as function. Your dentist is the best person to determine which option is best for you.

Whatever the type of prosthesis our dentists use for restoring your teeth, rest assured that they will possess excellent aesthetics and clinical service life. So, if you’re planning to get your damaged teeth restored, book an appointment with our dentists and let us give you a naturally beautiful and attractive smile with dental veneers and porcelain crowns.

References

1. Awan, M. R. U., Asghar, H., Raza, H., Rasul, F., & Baig, M. S. (2018). Porcelain metal ceramic crown versus porcelain veneer: A clinical trial investigating the success between the two in the maxillary anterior teeth. The Professional Medical Journal, 25(05), 709-713.
2. Olley, R. C., Andiappan, M., & Frost, P. M. (2018). An up to 50-year follow-up of crown and veneer survival in a dental practice. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry, 119(6), 935-941.