Veneers or Crowns for teeth?

Is your smile not as radiant as you’d like? Are your teeth in bad shape? What method of tooth restoration suits you the most – veneers or crowns? In this article, we’ll explain what veneers and crowns are, and when it’s appropriate to use them for dental work.

We’ll compare veneers to zirconia dioxide crowns, as well as E-max ceramic crowns. We’re focusing on these because metal-ceramic prosthetics are a budget, lower-quality option that can’t really compete with veneers.

What are Veneers and Crowns?

A veneer is a thin plate made of ceramic or composite material that is attached to the surface of a tooth. It covers the visible, lateral parts of the tooth as well as the cutting edges. To fix them in place, a specialist grinds down a thin layer of enamel from the front side by 0.2 – 0.7 mm. Veneers can be installed on at least 6 front teeth at the same time.

A crown is a cap-like prosthetic that a dentist affixes to a damaged tooth. It covers the entire surface of the tooth. Before installing it, the dentist grinds down the enamel from all sides (up to 2 mm), forming a core or post. This type of prosthetic can also be used for mounting onto a post (if only the dental root remains) or onto an implant.

The Purpose of Veneers

Their primary goal is to restore the aesthetics of your smile. They:

• Close gaps between teeth (diastemas, trema).
• Restore enamel color if it has darkened or yellowed.
• Protect a tooth with minor damage (chip, crack).
• Mask irregular shapes of incisors or canines, their misalignment, or crowding.

The Purpose of Dental Crowns

They restore the functional qualities of teeth and are used when:

• The tooth is more than 60% damaged.
• Re-filling is not possible, the carious cavity is too large.
• There are large gaps between teeth.
• The enamel has severely thinned.

Doctor’s opinion

Dr. B. Lipovetskiy

How do crowns differ from veneers?There are several key differences:

• Method of installation. A small layer of enamel is ground down from the exterior side to affix veneers. For a crown, the entire tooth needs to be significantly ground down.
• Load resistance. Under heavy pressure, a veneer may delaminate or crack. A crown better distributes the load, fully protecting the tooth.
• Tooth location. Since veneers are only intended to restore the aesthetics of a smile, it doesn’t make sense to place them on lateral molars or premolars. Crowns restore the chewing function of both lateral and front teeth.

Veneers or Crowns – Which is Better?

To answer this question, it’s necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method of restoration.

Crowns

Pros:

• Protect the tooth from further deterioration.

• Prevent damage to a tooth with a removed nerve.

• Restore the aesthetics of your smile.

• Evenly distribute chewing load.

• Prevent shifting of adjacent teeth.

• Improve speech clarity.

Cons

• Require significant grinding of dental tissue, including healthy parts.

Veneers

Pros:

• Quickly restore the aesthetics of your smile.

• Difficult to distinguish from natural teeth even up close.

• Fully replicate the shape and shade of natural incisors and canines.

• Restore bite height with severe enamel wear.

• Don’t require significant enamel grinding.

Cons

• Not suitable for restoring teeth with more than 30-50% damage.

• Less durable than prosthetics that cover the entire tooth.

Each method has its pros and cons, and the best option for you will depend on your specific dental condition and what you’re hoping to achieve aesthetically and functionally.

Veneers or Crowns – Which is the Best Choice for Your Front Teeth?

The choice depends on the patient’s goals:

• Aesthetic Concerns

  The patient is unhappy with the shade of the enamel, the height, shape of incisors or canines, while most of the dental tissues remain intact without significant damage. In this case, veneers are the better option.

• Structural Restoration Required

  Due to trauma, severe decay, or repeated fillings, the tooth is more than 60% damaged. In this situation, prosthetics that cover the entire tooth would be more appropriate.

The final decision on which type of restoration to go for is made by the dentist. They are capable of fully assessing the condition of the oral cavity and then developing a treatment plan accordingly.

Comparing Crowns and Veneers

Criteria	Veneers	Crowns
Purpose of Restoration	Cosmetic restoration – restoring a beautiful shape and shade of teeth.	Functional restoration – repairing sufficient tooth damage. Serve as good protection.
Thickness	Very thin – ranging from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.	Ranges from 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm.
Tooth Preparation	Minimal – a thin layer of enamel is ground down.	A significant portion of the tooth structure is removed.
Installation Time	Can be completed in 2 visits: consultation and fixation (takes 3-6 hours).	Requires at least 3 visits: consultation, grinding, and fixation. The overall time for prosthetics is 2-3 weeks.
Lifespan	From 5 to 20 years depending on the material.	From 10 to 25 years depending on the material.

This table should help in making an informed decision based on your specific needs and circumstances. Always consult your dental professional for the most accurate advice tailored to your dental health.

Doctor’s opinion

Dr. B. Lipovetskiy

What’s the Better Choice for Prosthodontics? Since veneers and full-tooth prosthetics serve different purposes, there is not one “best” restoration method. A decision and treatment plan can only be made after the patient has discussed their goals and desires, and the dentist has conducted an examination and diagnosis.

Questions and Answers

Are E-max veneers and crowns the same thing?

No. E-max ceramic is a material from which both veneers and full-tooth prosthetics can be made. They differ from each other in shape, as well as in purpose.

How long do crowns and veneers last?

The lifespan depends on the material. Composite veneers last up to 5 years, while ceramic ones can last up to 20 years. A full-tooth prosthetic made of E-max ceramic lasts around 15 years, and those made from zirconia last 20 years or more.

What care is needed for veneers and crowns?

For teeth cleaning, it’s best to use a soft or medium-bristle brush and toothpaste without abrasive particles to avoid damaging the prosthetic surface. Additionally, you can use dental floss, mouthwash, and water flossers for more comprehensive oral hygiene.

Do veneers damage teeth more than crowns?

No. On the contrary, the enamel grinding required for veneers is not as significant as for full-tooth prosthetics. However, even minimal grinding changes the enamel surface for a lifetime.