Veneers vs. Porcelain Crowns

When it comes to enhancing the way your smile looks, there are numerous options to choose from. Two of the most popular choices include cosmetic veneers and porcelain crowns. But depending on your oral health needs, one may be more appropriate than the other.

Advantages to Veneers

Placing a veneer over the front of a tooth changes the way it looks without “treating” the entire tooth. They’re ideal for everything from mild discoloration and crowding to smaller or misshaped teeth. When paired side by side, veneers are safe to treat the entire visible smile. Some of our patients refer to them as “instant braces.”

Disadvantages of Cosmetic Veneers

The smaller size of veneers means they only provide aesthetic benefits, not functional ones. If a tooth has moderate to severe structural damage, a veneer won’t be appropriate. There needs to be enough healthy tooth structure underneath to support a veneer.

Advantages of Crowns

Crowns allow you to combine cosmetic materials and restorative techniques to protect damaged, decayed, or broken teeth. When a veneer won’t provide structural support, crowns add extra protection. They can be used to repair teeth with large cavities, root canals, or even placed on top of dental implants to replace missing teeth.

Disadvantages of Crowns

A crown is a functional restoration that covers the entire portion of your tooth. As such, it’s necessary to trim down the enamel so that the crown can slip over it. For a tooth without any structural damage, this can compromise otherwise healthy enamel. If minor aesthetics are a concern, it’s best to opt for something less invasive.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More

Book an exam and Wyndham Dental today to find out which restorative or cosmetic dental option is right for you. Our Wyndham dentists are happy to answer any questions that you have!