Veneers or Crowns: Which One Should I Get?

Over time, you may notice that your teeth no longer look as lovely as they once did. From chips to oddly shaped teeth, there is a range of things that can prevent your smile from looking its best. fortunately, treatments like dental crowns and veneers can help. But how can you know if veneers or crowns are the better option? Read on to learn more about each of these treatments, how they differ, and how to know which one is right for you.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells that are made from dental-grade porcelain. They cover the entire front surface of a tooth to cover up a range of cosmetic issues, such as chips, gaps, discoloration, cracks, alignment problems, and misshapen teeth. To ensure that they adhere properly, a small amount of tooth enamel needs to be removed. Your veneers will also be color-matched to ensure that they blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are caps that are shaped like teeth and completely encase the visible part of a tooth. They are used to improve the look as well as the function, so they offer both cosmetic and restorative benefits. Crowns can be made from several materials, such as porcelain, metal, resin, and ceramics. Each crown is customized to ensure that they match the surrounding teeth. The tooth that will be receiving the crown will need to be reshaped so the restoration fits over it without looking bulky or disrupting your bite.

Some dentists also offer Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) crowns. Special software allows your dentist to take images of your teeth and generate a digital model before crafting a ceramic crown. The procedure can be completed in just one visit.

4 Differences Between Veneers and Crowns

So, how do crowns and veneers differ? A few differences between these two treatments include:

• Shape – Veneers are thin shells, and dental crowns are three-dimensional, tooth-shaped caps.
• Purpose – Veneers are mostly used for cosmetic purposes, but crowns offer both cosmetic and restorative benefits.
• Cost – Since veneers are generally considered a cosmetic treatment, they aren’t usually covered by dental insurance. Crowns have restorative purposes, so they’ll likely receive partial coverage.
• Timing – This will vary by patient, but crowns usually take longer to get than veneers. Both treatments usually take two appointments, and CEREC crowns only take one appointment.

Veneers or Crowns: Which One Is Best for Me?

Crowns and veneers are used to treat different issues. If you need to have a large cavity filled, just underwent a root canal procedure, or have a tooth that’s severely cracked or damaged, a dental crown is the better option. It will protect the tooth from further damage and restore both its look and function. If you only want to improve the look of your smile and don’t have any oral health issues that need to be addressed, porcelain veneers are the better option.

Whether you get porcelain veneers or crowns, make sure to set up an initial consultation with your dentist. They’ll be able to give you all the information you need on which treatment is the best option for your smile!

About the Practice

Lynchburg residents and those in surrounding communities are in good hands with Dr. James M. Peery III, Dr. Samuel E. Woolwine III, Dr. James M. Peery Jr., and their team at Peery & Woolwine Family Dentistry. If your teeth or damaged or have cosmetic flaws, they offer durable, lifelike dental crowns and porcelain veneers to give you a more gorgeous grin. For more information on if you should get veneers or crowns or to set up an appointment, call Peery & Woolwine Family Dentistry at (434) 847-5331 or visit their website.