While full-coverage crowns and veneers can both redesign the appearance of the teeth, they have some significantly different indications, pros, and cons. The primary difference between a veneer and a full-coverage crown is that a veneer covers the front of the tooth and nothing else, while a crown covers the entire body of the tooth above the gum line. Both veneers and crowns can be made of natural-looking porcelain or other material that closely resembles the luster of natural teeth, so each can be an effective cosmetic remedy. However, while veneers play a minor protective role for the front of the teeth, they require a certain amount of healthy dental tissue for support and can’t be used to fully restore the structure of a tooth as a crown can.

While there are certain situations where only a crown will do, like as part of a root canal treatment, some conditions could be resolved with either a veneer or a crown. These include:

1. Severely discolored teeth, especially when they don’t respond to whitening treatments
2. Chips, cracks, or breaks in the dental enamel
3. Weak or decayed teeth
4. Crooked teeth
5. Teeth that are visibly worn down or otherwise damaged
6. Teeth that are misshapen or unusually sized

A dental veneer is a microscopically thin layer of material, often porcelain, that is cemented to the front of a tooth. To prepare the tooth, your dentist will first grind down a small amount of the enamel on the front of the tooth, making sure that the veneer will line up properly with the other teeth once it’s bonded in place. This may require a local anesthetic. Using an impression of the tooth and digital scans, the veneer is crafted in a dental lab before it is cemented to the front of the tooth and cured with ultraviolet light.

A crown is slightly thicker than a veneer and covers the entire surface of the tooth above the gums. Crowns can be made of tooth-colored porcelain, metal, or porcelain fused to metal, depending on aesthetic and clinical needs. This is a crucial difference between crowns and veneers: their primary purpose is aesthetic, while the purpose of crowns is also functional, by design. To prepare the tooth for a crown, the enamel on the outside of the tooth is ground down again to ensure that the crown will fit properly within the row of teeth. Once the crown returns from the lab, it is cemented in place, much like a veneer.

While veneers can be used to correct misshapen teeth, they are best reserved for cosmetic treatments where the structure of the tooth is largely intact. When a large filling requires support, or if a tooth is significantly worn or broken, a crown will likely be preferred.

So, to recap, some of the pros of veneers are:

1. Consistently provides optimal aesthetic improvement
2. More natural tooth tissue remains intact
3. Minimal tooth movement

Some of the pros of crowns are:

1. Enhanced protection from tooth decay
2. Insurance may cover a portion of the cost
3. Can be made to function and appear exactly like natural teeth

Veneer cons:

1. More of the tooth is exposed to decay
2. Not reversible
3. Unlikely to be covered by dental insurance
4. May require replacement

Crown cons:

1. More of the natural tooth is removed to accommodate the crown
2. The tooth may be more sensitive, or there may be pain in the gums
3. Fragile crown materials can sustain damage over time
4. Some more durable materials are aesthetically lacking

Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist all the questions you have as you decide on your dental restoration treatment. Ask for pictures and patient testimonials, and ask to see some of the different materials your veneers or crown might be made of so you can get a real sense of your results. Proceed with information and knowledge and guarantee yourself a future of bright smiles.

Related Article: Partial vs Full Coverage Crowns