Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns: Which One Is Right For Your Smile? [Video Explainer]

If you’re interested in cosmetically enhancing your smile, porcelain veneers and crowns are two options worth considering. Each has its own unique place in dental transformations. When comparing porcelain veneers vs. crowns, which is best for your smile? The answer depends on the overall health of your teeth.

Both options use a durable, aesthetically pleasing porcelain. However, veneers cosmetically alter the front surfaces of the teeth. In contrast, crowns serve a larger restorative purpose in dentistry. Veneers are generally best for teeth that are otherwise healthy and have little to no fillings or other prior restorative work. Alternatively, crowns can help restore teeth that have lost substantial structure because of decay, erosion, fractures, or wear. When Dr. Keider sees you for a personalized consultation, he can assess whether veneers or crowns are the best option for your smile.

Porcelain Veneers Can Cosmetically Improve Your Smile

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell that fits over the front surface of a tooth. This simple change can dramatically improve what you don’t like about your smile. Dr. Keider bonds the veneer primarily to the front of your tooth. This lets him change the shape or color of the tooth. When veneers are applied to the entire smile line, they can dramatically enhance your teeth’s color. Veneers are minimally invasive, meaning they require minimal alteration to the tooth.

To prepare the teeth for veneers, Dr. Keider typically needs to reduce a small amount of enamel. He takes impressions of the teeth and places a temporary veneer while a permanent veneer is being crafted in a lab. Finally, he bonds the permanent veneer to the front surface of the tooth.

Sometimes, teeth aren’t in healthy enough condition for veneers. When this happens, Dr. Keider may recommend dental crowns instead.

Dental Crowns Restore Function and Cosmetics

Dental crowns do a bit more of the heavy lifting in restorative dentistry than veneers do. Crowns cover and restore the entire tooth. Sometimes, you might hear the term crown used interchangeably with “cap” because the structure caps over the tooth.

Dr. Keider often uses crowns when cavities and acid erosion have progressed to the point that they take up most of the tooth. Dr. Keider can remove the decay, sometimes including a root canal treatment if infection has reached the pulp. After removing the damage, he can place a crown to restore the remaining tooth.

Porcelain crowns play a significant role in restoring the tooth and also provide cosmetic benefits. Similar to veneers, when Dr. Keider applies crowns to an entire smile line, he can control the shade of the porcelain to achieve a whiter appearance.

To place a crown, Dr. Keider removes any decay or damage from the tooth. Then, he takes impressions of the teeth and crafts a temporary crown. He sends the impressions to a dental lab that designs your permanent porcelain crown. In a second visit, he bonds the porcelain crown in place.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns: Which Works Best for Your Smile?

Between veneers vs. crowns, what’s actually best for your smile? Porcelain veneers make sense, particularly when teeth are structurally in good condition. For instance, if you only want to change the front surfaces of your teeth, a veneer transformation makes sense. Veneers are great tools in cosmetic dentistry for concealing minor cracks and chips or brightening smiles when stains don’t respond to whitening.

When the structural integrity of the teeth is severely compromised, veneers are not a suitable option for correcting those issues. For instance, if acid reflux has worn down the backsides of your teeth over time, veneers might not suit your smile. If you have restorations, such as tooth-colored fillings, veneer placement is less predictable and therefore not ideal.

If veneers are not the right fit, crowns can often provide a similar cosmetic improvement with more coverage and support. Porcelain dental crowns allow Dr. Keider to improve the entire structure of the tooth, strengthening teeth and preventing further damage.

Compare Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns at an Affordable Consultation

Can’t decide between veneers vs. crowns? During an in-depth consultation, Dr. Keider assesses your oral health and considers the best path to your smile goals. He will help you decide whether veneers or crowns make sense for your goals when he examines your teeth. If the overall structure of your teeth is in good condition, veneers can give you a faster, less invasive path to a brighter smile. If a tooth needs more support, a crown restores its strength while still blending in with the rest of your teeth.

Schedule an affordable consultation with Dr. Keider today, and find out which option puts your best smile forward.