Veneers vs. Crowns: Pros and Cons of Each

Thanks to improved innovations in dentistry, there’s hope for a damaged tooth. Whether your tooth is decayed, worn-down, cracked, chipped, or stained, your dentist can help. Dental crowns and veneers are some of the procedures used to treat dental imperfections and restore your oral health, function, and aesthetics.

Let’s discuss these treatments and their pros and cons.

Dental Veneers Vs. Crowns: What’s the Difference?

Perhaps the biggest difference between a crown and a veneer is that a crown covers the entire tooth structure while a veneer only covers the front.

Therefore, a crown is ideal where there’s significant damage to a tooth. For instance, the dentist can use a crown to build a severely fractured, broken, decayed, stained, or weakened tooth. On the other hand, a veneer is best suited to repair minor damage such as cracks, teeth gaps, and discolouration.

What Are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is a thin tooth-coloured coating or shell bonded to the front of a tooth to treat or hide the damage. A veneer is commonly made from porcelain or composite resin materials.

Placing a dental veneer requires about two appointments. On the first appointment, the dentist will shave down a small portion of the tooth’s enamel. Certain types of veneers like Lumineers don’t need any or much tooth shaving and are therefore more conservative.

Next, the dentist will make a mold or digital impression of the shaped tooth and other teeth. The molds and other records go to a laboratory where the permanent veneer is made. The dentist may place a temporary veneer to protect the shaved tooth.

You will be booked for a second appointment when the permanent veneer is ready. The dentist will remove the temporary veneer and test the permanent veneer for proper fit and color. If all is good, the permanent veneer will be bonded to the tooth. We offer dental veneers in New Westminster.

Veneers can correct dental imperfections like:

• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Discoloured tooth
• Weakened tooth
• Minor tooth crookedness
• Minor teeth gaps
• A gummy smile

Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

Pros

• Veneers are esthetically appealing.
• Veneers require less tooth reduction compared to a dental crown. They preserve more of the natural teeth.
• Gums tolerate veneers well.
• Veneers resist stains better than natural teeth.
• Veneers are versatile.
• Veneers are custom-made.
• Veneers are long-lasting.

Cons

• Since the procedure involves trimming the tooth’s enamel, it can’t be undone.
• Veneers can’t be whitened.
• Tooth shaving can weaken the tooth and cause sensitivity.
• While rare, the veneer can fall off and dislodge.
• Veneers aren’t ideal for patients with decay, gum disease, and bruxism.
• Composite veneers are not as strong as porcelain veneers and may chip or discolour more easily.

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a tooth-shaped dental cap placed over a damaged tooth. The procedure of placing a crown is similar to that of a veneer. However, it requires more tooth preparation. You might also need additional treatment like a root canal and filling if your tooth is decayed or infected.

Traditionally, once the tooth was prepared, the dentist would take a digital scan or impressions of the tooth and other records and send them to a dental lab. The dentist would then place a temporary crown to protect the shaved tooth until the permanent crown is ready. The patient would return for a second appointment to have the crown inserted.

At our office, we offer same day crowns.  This means there is no need for a temporary crown or a second appointment to insert the crown.  Once the tooth is prepared, a digital scan is made.  This scan is used to design the crown in the office.  Once the crown is designed, we use a block of zirconia to mill the crown in the office. The whole process takes around two hours from start to finish.

Crowns can correct dental imperfections like:

• Broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
• Protect a worn-down tooth
• Strengthen a weakened tooth
• Improve the appearance of severely stained teeth
• Cover a tooth with a large filling
• Cover a tooth after a root canal
• Support a dental bridge or implant

Dental Crowns Pros and Cons

Pros

• Custom-fitted to look and feel like a natural tooth
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Most crowns last for years.
• Saves a tooth that might otherwise need to be removed
• Resist stains better than natural teeth

Cons

• More tooth reduction is required which may weaken the tooth and cause sensitivity.
• While rare, a crown can fall off or dislodge.
• The procedure is irreversible.
• You can’t whiten crowns.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Do you require dental veneer or crown treatments? Contact Asante Dental Centre to schedule an appointment with our dentist near you.