Dental Crowns vs. Veneers: Which Is the Right Choice for You?

Finally, you have taken the step of faith to get the picture-perfect smile. Thank heavens that you are living in this era; you have a myriad of options to choose from. However, that’s the easy part; choosing which works for you is hard.

Dental crowns in Detroit, MI, and dental veneers are common tooth restorations that many patients gravitate towards. The reason is they are easily fixed and solve a plethora of issues simultaneously. This is what makes choosing between them an uphill task.

Even though our dentist can help you determine which option suits you more, you at least need to have more information about the two treatments beforehand. This makes it easier for you to ask the right questions. Without further ado, let’s unpack these two tooth restorations.

About Veneers

Dental veneers are thin caps or shells that are made from porcelain, composite resin, or other materials. Our dentist in Detroit, MI, fixes the veneers on your tooth’s front surface to alter the appearance, length, shape or size to give you a perfect smile.
Some of the enamel must be removed to create enough room for fixing veneers. If they are fixed without prepping the teeth, they will be bulky and uncomfortable.

About Crowns

Dental crowns, on the other hand, are tooth caps that are designed to cover the entire tooth. They are crafted using various materials such as porcelain, metal alloys, etc.

To get a dental crown, our dentist has to remove the damaged part of the tooth and then shape the tooth to create space for the crown. It is a more extensive procedure; you will lose more enamel than veneers.

What Dental Issues Can Crowns and Veneers Rectify?

In essence, crowns and veneers can solve the following dental issues:

• Crooked teeth
• Spaced teeth
• Slightly misaligned teeth
• Chipped, broken, cracked teeth
• Discolored teeth

When Are Tooth Crowns the Better Option?

If your teeth are severely damaged and require more work to repair, you must go for dental crowns. The primary goal of a dental crown is to protect your natural tooth from more damage and strengthen weak teeth. That’s why it is your best bet when your tooth is badly broken or has extensive tooth decay.

Another scenario where crowns are the better solution is when grinding damages your tooth’s edge. A dental veneer will only cover your tooth’s front surface, not the edges.

In a nutshell, crowns are the better solution when your tooth is severely damaged.

When Are Veneers the Better Option?

On the other hand, veneers are designed to deal with relatively minor dental flaws. They are your best bet if the work needs to be done is aesthetic. If your teeth are severely discolored, chipped, cracked, or have small gaps between them, then veneers are an excellent choice.

Veneers are known to enhance the appearance of teeth dramatically. If you choose to go with dental veneers, ensure that your needs gravitate towards improving your dental aesthetics.

Crowns vs. Veneers: Pros and Cons

Veneers Pros

• Very minimal tooth enamel has to be removed as compared to crowns
• Aesthetically, they can be more pleasing than crowns and do not reveal the gum line as is the case at times with crowns
• Very minimal tooth movement as compared to crowns

Veneers Cons

• The process is irreversible
• They may leave other areas of the teeth exposed to tooth decay
• There is a possibility that your insurance might not cover the cost since it is considered a cosmetic procedure
• They need replacing after seven years or so, especially composite veneers

Crowns Pros

• Porcelain crowns look like your natural teeth
• Crowns cover your whole tooth and hence protect it from further damage
• Crowns are viewed as a restorative procedure, so you can expect your dental insurance to cover part of the cost

Crowns Cons

• You can experience sensitivity, especially a few days after the procedure
• You will lose more of your natural tooth because the crown needs more room so that it can fit
• Some crowns will cause discoloration, especially between the crown and your tooth

What’s the Verdict?

Veneers and dental crowns near you are excellent in dealing with dental issues. However, they might have different functions. Both treatments can be costly, especially if you need more than one tooth to be fixed.

Whether you choose to go for veneers or crowns, our dentist at My Detroit Dentist will be pleased to improve your smile.