While both crowns and veneers can restore your smile, you deserve the best of the best. So which option is better, crowns or veneers?
What are crowns and veneers?
Crowns and veneers are tooth-shaped caps or shells used in dental restoration procedures to restore function and aesthetics. Cosmetic dentists use dental veneers and crowns made from tooth-like materials to cover defects on the tooth's surface and improve or restore your smile. To choose the option for you, analyze crowns vs. veneers based on your unique needs.
Here is an in-depth analysis of crowns vs. veneers to streamline your decision-making process:
What is the difference between dental veneers and crowns?
Dental veneers are super-thin shells placed on the front of teeth to improve aesthetics. On the other hand, dental crowns are tooth-like caps that cover the entire tooth. A veneer is ideal for front teeth, while a dental crown encases both front and back teeth.
How do they put veneers on teeth?
Your cosmetic dentist will use bonding glue or dentistry cement to attach the veneer to your front tooth. Next, they prepare and shave your teeth before placing veneers. This step ensures the dental veneers bond firmly to your teeth. But can front teeth be capped? Yes, you can. Your Toronto cosmetic dentist will use the same crown placement procedure for front and back teeth. However, dental restoration procedures using crowns require your dentist to remove more enamel to attain the perfect fit. Next, your Toronto dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab. This procedure also requires temporary crowns to cover your teeth as you wait for the lab to deliver your custom-made crown. You'll visit your dentist after about two weeks for the placement of permanent crowns.
Can crowns look as good as veneers?
Yes, crowns look as good as veneers. But you'll need the best dental crowns in Toronto to get the best before-and-after results. Toronto Smile Design Clinic uses all-porcelain crowns that mimic the colour and light-reflecting properties of teeth. The best porcelain crowns on front teeth look natural. They cover defects on the tooth's surface like porcelain veneers. Your Toronto dentist can leverage Digital Smile Design (DSD) to develop porcelain crowns that are indistinguishable from your natural teeth. These crowns can improve or restore your smile like porcelain veneers.
Which crown is best for your teeth?
There are four types of dental crowns, all-porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), gold, and Zirconia crowns. To choose the best for your teeth, focus on aesthetics, durability, and safety. Gold crowns are yellowish and will not blend with your natural teeth. Are metal crowns better than porcelain? Although metal frames in PFM crowns enhance structural strength, the frame's shadows create grey lines and undermine aesthetics. Zirconia crowns can wear down adjacent teeth, but with perfect occlusal adjustments, this happens rarely. All-porcelain crowns are the best for your teeth, especially on front teeth. They strike a perfect balance between aesthetics, durability, and safety.
Are metal crowns better than porcelain?
No, they are not! The main disadvantage of metal crowns is their colour. Gold crowns are yellowish to golden in colour and stand out in stark contrast with white teeth. On the other hand, porcelain is a tooth-like material that mimics natural teeth. Gold crowns contain copper, nickel, chromium, and other metals, increasing the risk of allergic reactions. They are also prone to fading, while porcelain crowns are fade-resistant. The only advantage of gold crowns is the high resistance to cracking. But Toronto Smile Design's state-of-the-art approaches reduce the risk of cracking. These porcelain crowns are better than metal crowns across the board. Porcelain is the best dental material.
Are porcelain crowns better than veneers?
It depends on the tooth being restored and the desired outcome. Porcelain veneers are better than crowns if you're restoring front teeth for cosmetic purposes. Chips, cracks, or worn-out teeth due to bruxism can affect your tooth's bite functions. Porcelain crowns can improve your tooth's shape and restore function better than dental veneers because they encase the entire tooth. A dental crown is also the best option for back teeth restoration.
What lasts longer, crowns or veneers?
The material used and thickness influence the durability of crowns and veneers. Porcelain veneers are about 1 millimetre, while porcelain crowns are two times thicker. The difference in thickness makes porcelain crowns more durable than their super-thin cousins. So, how long do porcelain crowns last? It depends on several factors, such as the tooth's position, aftercare, and oral hygiene. On average, porcelain crowns can last 15 years, while veneers have a lifespan of 10 years. Toronto Smile Design uses advanced methods to carve out dental crowns from a single block of porcelain. This approach reduces the risk of cracking and increases the lifespan by several years. With the best porcelain crowns in Toronto, you'll get more than 15 years out of your investment.
What is more expensive, a crown or veneer?
Porcelain veneers cost more than Dental crowns. The cost of dental crowns in Toronto ranges from $1000 to $1200 per tooth, while dental crowns can you $1200 or more per tooth. Note that the price tag for veneers and crowns includes the material used but not lab fees and other charges. But why are porcelain veneers so expensive? Although Porcelain veneers do not cover the entire tooth, the minimally invasive preparation and technique-sensitive cementation process of porcelain veneers make them more expensive than dental crowns. With porcelain veneers, your cosmetic dentist can enhance your smile by using minimally invasive techniques. Ceramic veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry procedures, which are not usually covered by dental insurance policies. Dental crowns cater to cosmetic and general dental care. If you're missing one or several teeth, your dentist can recommend dental implants to restore function and aesthetics. These replacement teeth consist of titanium roots and porcelain crowns. This special care will cost you extra. So, how much are front teeth crowns? On average, front teeth porcelain crowns in Toronto can cost $1200-$1500 per tooth.
Which are better, crowns or veneers?
To choose the best, analyze the pros and cons of dental crowns and veneers.
Protection. Unlike porcelain veneers, dental crowns cover and protect the entire tooth from trauma. Does dental insurance pay for veneers?
Insurance coverage. Most insurance policies don't cover cosmetic dentistry procedures. On the other hand, your insurer can bear a portion of your dental crown cost.
Aesthetics. Both porcelain veneers and ceramic crowns look and feel like natural teeth. They enhance oral health and hygiene better than removable dentures.
Cost. Dental crowns cost less than Porcelain veneers, but your dentist needs to prep more tooth structure with Dental Crowns.
Procedure. Porcelain veneers require a smaller amount of enamel removal from the original tooth than dental crowns. Your dentist can use temporary crowns and send you home. So, you'll need to visit your dentist after a week or two to get permanent crowns.
Most people are good candidates for veneers and crowns. Note that you cannot undo a veneering procedure. Can veneers go over existing crowns? No, they can't. If your dental crown is damaged, you'll need another crown to replace it. Whether you choose porcelain veneers or dental crowns, you can rely on Toronto Smile Design Clinic to restore your charming smile.
Why Toronto Smile Design?
Dr. Johnson Ozgur is a Cosmetic Dentist in Toronto with a Master's Degree in Oral Surgery. He has years of experience in General Dental Care and Cosmetic Dentistry, including porcelain veneers and dental crowns. To restore your authentic smile, look no further than Toronto Smile Design. Contact us today!
