Veneers and Porcelain Crowns: Which Is Best for Your Needs and What Is the Difference?

Veneers and porcelain crowns are both methods of restorative dentistry to improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth. The most significant difference is that veneers only cover the front surfaces of your teeth, while porcelain crowns cover your entire tooth. Dental restoration procedures are not affordable. It is why you must know which one is best for you.

The procedures for having these restorations are different, but both have successful outcomes. Let us look at the differences between veneers and porcelain crowns, along with the benefits and downsides of both.

What Are the Differences between Veneers and Porcelain Crowns?

Veneers are thin layers of porcelain with a thickness of approximately 1 millimetre bonded to the front surfaces of your existing tooth. Crowns are also fabricated from porcelain but have a thickness of about 2 mm and cover the entire tooth. You can have an all-porcelain crown or even porcelain fused to metal.

Whether your needs are satisfied by a crown or a veneer depends on the condition of your teeth and the problem you are trying to fix. Some common reasons for these restorations are discoloured teeth, decayed or weakened teeth, crooked teeth, chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. Veneers and crowns are both colour-matched to your existing teeth.

What are veneers?

Veneers are surfaces suitable for covering the front surface of your tooth. The procedure for having them is not as invasive as dental crowns because the preparatory process leaves more of your teeth intact.

The dentist in Sunset Hills, MO, removes half a millimetre of enamel from the front of the tooth to roughen the surface before veneer placement. Some varieties of veneers don’t need significant preparation, but if you are having porcelain veneers, you need local anaesthesia because the grinding of your tooth is painful.

The dentist makes impressions of your prepared teeth by digitally scanning them and sending them to a dental lab to customise your placement. You receive a temporary veneer on your tooth for protection until the new arrangement is ready.

You must return to the dentist for a second visit when the dental lab produces the veneer to have the temporary removed and the permanent placement bonded to your tooth. After the surface is attached to your tooth and hardened with ultraviolet light, you experience a minimal movement of the tooth. However, you may need to wear a night guard to protect the veneer if you are affected by bruxism.

What Is a Porcelain Crown?

Porcelain crowns cover the entire tooth, and your existing tooth needs filing down to prepare it for crown placement. The cosmetic dentist in Sunset Hills, MO, removes any decay in your tooth before having the crown fabricated. The crown placement procedure is painful and requires local anaesthesia during the preparation.

Like dental veneers, the dentist takes impressions of your tooth digitally for the dental laboratory to fabricate the crown. You receive a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth.

When the permanent crown is ready, the dentist removes the temporary and bonds the permanent crown to your tooth. Your crowned tooth may have some movement to change your bite. You may need adjustments to the crown if this occurs.

How to Determine What’s Best for Your Needs?

If your tooth has a large filling, is worn or cracked, or has undergone root canal treatment, a crown is the best option for you.

If your tooth is intact and the restoration is for cosmetic reasons, your needs are better served by veneers.

What Are Their Costs?

Veneers and Porcelain Crowns in Sunset Hills, MO, are both expensive restorations. However, individual prices can vary depending on your tooth’s size, location, and average costs in your geographic area.

Dental insurers don’t cover cosmetic dentistry is or may have a maximum annual limit for coverage.

Veneer prices can range between $ 925-$2500 per tooth, and the figure doesn’t include other procedures that you may need. The costs for crowns vary between $ 1000-$ 3500. Porcelain crowns are more expensive than different varieties.

You can inquire about the prices of veneers and porcelain crowns with the sunset Hills dentist. They may offer you payment plans if you are on a budget to space out your payments and have the restorations on your teeth immediately.