Cosmetic dentistry can improve the look of your natural teeth. If you want to preserve an existing tooth, veneers can enhance its appearance.
However, dental implants and crowns are better suited for broken or damaged teeth.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front of the tooth to enhance its appearance. The core function of veneers is to treat many cosmetic issues simultaneously, such as a damaged tooth, chipped tooth, small tooth, gaps between teeth, misalignment, and even a crooked tooth.
Furthermore, for people with any of the cosmetic blemishes mentioned above, veneers can be a great fit for you. However, veneers aren’t ideal for people with oral health problems like tooth decay and signs of gum disease.
Learn more about dental veneers: What are dental veneers?
What are Dental Crowns?
Crowns are a cosmetic treatment that covers the entire tooth. They are made differently depending on the type that is used. It can be constructed from many materials, such as metal (alloy or gold), ceramic, resin, or stainless steel.
However, when a temporary crown is used, typically, it is manufactured with an acrylic-based material.
The core function of dental crowns is the improve the appearance of teeth. Like veneers, you can consider crowns if you are unhappy with your smile.
Additionally, crowns are typically geared towards more serious cosmetic flaws. Patients who are missing their original tooth, have severe tooth decay, damage, discolouration, cracking, or root canal issues would consider receiving dental crowns.
What’s the difference between veneers and crowns?
Although veneers and crowns both provide the patient with a smile makeover, there are big differences between the two.
Veneers only cover the front of a tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth. Both require good oral health and proper maintenance after the procedure, such as flossing, brushing, and routine check-ups.
Crowns are designed for more serious tooth damage, such as a cracked tooth, a root canal, or a damaged tooth. Veneers are minimally invasive and don’t show the gum line after years, whereas crowns do.
A patient needs a crown if they suffer from severe tooth damage, a root canal, a cracked tooth, or a receding gum line.
If a person has their tooth intact and prefers a minimally invasive procedure, veneers can cover up the front teeth without significantly trimming each tooth.
Types of Veneers Available
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are slim wafers that are about 0.5mm thick that fit over the front surface of the tooth.
Typically, trimming involves removing a portion of the tooth enamel to allow the layer of porcelain to stick on through a dental bonding process.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are thin tooth-coloured shells made of a composite resin material that go over the front of your teeth.
These veneers are the best option to cover discolouration and broken teeth due to their thickness and opaque shading.
However, they are less durable and may not withstand the effects of bacterial buildup or bad dental hygiene.
Ultra-thin Veneers
Ultra-thin veneers, or no-prep veneers, are a conservative option that doesn’t require shaving your tooth. It’s about 0.2mm thick and helps to cover up flaws in the front of your teeth.
Lumineers
Lumineers are a popular brand of ultra-thin veneers manufactured specifically in the DenMat lab. They are typically less expensive, thinner, and look more natural than traditional veneers.
Types of Crowns Available
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns can be made from a variety of materials such as nickel, gold, copper, chromium, and palladium. These types of crowns are the strongest and most durable. They tend not to wear away teeth and are fracture-resistant.
One of the main benefits of metal crowns is that they require the least amount of removal of the tooth structure, making them the most conservative option.
Furthermore, these crowns can endure plenty of hard chewing and biting.
Unfortunately, the downside is that the metallic colour isn’t visually appealing and will become apparent when you smile.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are bonded through a heating process that fuses the porcelain chemicals and oxides into the metal. They provide a better look compared to metal crowns since their colour can be matched to your other teeth.
Unfortunately, they aren’t as strong as metal crowns since they can break or chip off. However, the underlying strength of the metal can provide support to the front or back teeth.
Permanent Crown
Permanent crowns are usually made in the dental lab. These crowns require time to make and temporary ones are placed onto the patient in the meantime. They can be made from many types of materials such as ceramic, resin, metals, and stainless steel.
Veneers vs Crowns: How are they fitted?
Both veneers and crowns generally require tooth preparation before applying the treatment.
A local anaesthetic may be needed during the procedure to numb the pain.
Generally, both procedures may take multiple visits and a few weeks until the permanent crowns or veneers are applied.
Crown procedure
Your dentist may start by taking an X-ray of your existing teeth. They may also take an impression of your teeth and mouth.
Next, they will remove and file down the outer layer of the tooth while trying to keep most of the tooth structure intact.
A temporary crown will be placed over the tooth to keep it protected. The impression taken will be sent to a lab to create a permanent crown that fits your teeth.
Once the permanent crown arrives, your dentist will cement it onto your teeth.
Veneers procedure
Your cosmetic dentist will have a preliminary appointment with you to discuss your goals and explain the veneer process.
They may perform X-rays to assess if you have healthy teeth. If they notice signs of root canals, gum disease, or tooth decay, they may recommend a crown procedure or another treatment that is more suitable for them.
Next, your dentist will trim a thin layer of your tooth enamel using a special grinding tool. The amount of enamel trimmed will depend on the type of veneers you choose.
They will then take a mould or impression of your teeth and send the mould off to a lab, where the custom veneers will be made.
In the meantime, you would usually wear temporary veneers until the permanent ones are completed. After one to two weeks, the permanent veneers should be ready.
Your dentist will check that the veneers are the right shape, size, and colour to match your teeth. They will then clean your teeth to prevent bacteria from being trapped underneath the veneer. Next, the dentist will etch your front tooth and then apply dental cement to it.
Veneers or crowns: What’s best for you?
Bespoke Smile aims to provide each patient with their dream smile. We’re dedicated to providing high-quality cosmetic dentistry at affordable costs while easing dental anxiety. Our dental clinic aims to deliver a tailored experience to suit your individual needs.
Whether you’re looking for veneers or crowns, contact us today and let us help you with your smile.