Full Coverage Crowns vs Veneers
If you are considering dental restorations to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your teeth or restore them back to their optimal functionality, the two most common restoration options are full coverage crowns and veneers. It is easy to mistake these two for one another, but they each have distinct characteristics, and by better understanding these differences, you can make a more well-informed decision about which restoration option is right for you.
A full coverage crown is essentially a protective cap that completely encases a tooth above the gum line. The crown provides structural support and also protects the tooth from further harm. Additionally, the full coverage crown will restore the overall shape, size, strength, and aesthetic appearance of a compromised tooth and help reduce the risk of further oral health issues from developing. A full coverage crown may be recommended if a tooth has suffered significant damage due to decay, trauma, or issues arising from a root canal procedure.
Dental veneers, on the other hand, are thin shells crafted from tooth-colored materials, (porcelain or composite resin), which are affixed to the outer surface of your teeth. Unlike crowns, veneers are placed primarily for cosmetic reasons, as they are particularly effective in enhancing the appearance of teeth that may have become stained, chipped, misaligned, or are otherwise imperfect in shape.
One of the biggest differences between full coverage crowns and veneers is coverage. Full coverage crowns cover the entire tooth. Veneers, on the other hand, are limited in that they can only enhance the visible surfaces of the teeth and do not provide the extensive structural support or protection that full coverage crowns do.
Full coverage crowns are most commonly used in the following type of circumstances:
- Extensive decay that cannot be addressed with a simple filling
- Teeth that have undergone endodontic (root canal) treatment
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Large or failing fillings
- Teeth damaged from wear, especially in cases of bruxism
Veneers are most commonly used in the following type of circumstances:
- For teeth that have become stained
- Minimizing minor gaps between teeth
- Chipped or worn teeth
- Teeth that are misshapen
- Slightly misaligned teeth
Materials used is another area where crowns and veneers also differ. Crowns are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of these materials. Which material is selection is often dependent on the specific tooth's location within the mouth; for instance, porcelain and ceramics are typically favored for front teeth, whereas metal crowns are often used for molars, in part because of the exceptional strength they provide.
Veneers are usually made out of porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are very durable and closely resemble the light-reflecting qualities of natural teeth, but tend to be more expensive. Composite veneers are usually a more affordable option, but have a shorter lifespan and are more susceptible to staining over time.
While full coverage crowns and veneers are both suitable options for improving your smile, they both serve fundamentally different needs. By better understanding the differences between these two, you can better determine which restoration option is best suited to your needs.