Side by side
Dental Crown vs Veneer
People often ask for a veneer when they need a crown, and occasionally the reverse. The difference is how much sound tooth is left.
Crown vs Veneer
| Crown | Veneer | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Wraps the entire tooth | Covers the front surface only |
| Tooth removed | More, around the whole circumference | Minimal, front surface only |
| Strength added | Substantial, holds a cracked tooth together | Little, it relies on the tooth underneath |
| Used after a root canal | Yes, this is the standard | No, the tooth is too weakened |
| Purely cosmetic cases | Overkill | The right tool |
| Insurance | Often covered when restoring a damaged tooth | Rarely covered |
| Lifespan | Ten to fifteen years | Ten to fifteen years |
Our take
If the tooth is cracked, root-treated or has a large old filling, it needs a crown. If it is structurally sound and you dislike the shape or shade, a veneer does the job while keeping far more of your tooth. We take an x-ray and tell you which situation you are in.
Dental Crowns
A crown covers a tooth that has lost too much structure to hold a filling. It is what keeps a cracked or heavily restored tooth in your mouth.
Consider it if:
- A cracked tooth, or one that hurts on release when you bite
- A large old filling that keeps breaking away at the edges
- A tooth that has had a root canal
Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain bonded to the front of a tooth. It changes shape, shade and alignment in one step without moving the tooth.
Consider it if:
- Front teeth that are chipped, worn or uneven in length
- Stains that whitening has not touched, including tetracycline banding
- Small gaps between the front teeth
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is the part of our practice we are known for. It covers everything from a single chipped front tooth to rebuilding an entire smile.
Consider it if:
- Teeth that are stained, worn short, chipped or uneven
- Gaps you have never liked in photographs
- A gum line that shows too much or sits unevenly
How we help you decide
We take records, show you what we are looking at on screen, and give you a recommendation with the reasoning attached. Both options above get quoted where both are clinically reasonable, so you are comparing real numbers for your own mouth rather than averages from an article.
If one of them is clearly wrong for your situation, we will say so and explain why. Second opinions are welcome, and we give them straight.
Questions we get asked
How long does a crown last?
Ten to fifteen years is typical and many last longer. The tooth underneath usually decides, not the crown.
Will it look like my other teeth?
Modern porcelain and zirconia match well. For front teeth we take shade photographs and involve the lab directly.
How long do veneers last?
Ten to fifteen years is a fair expectation with good hygiene and a night guard. Some go considerably longer.
Do you have to file down my teeth?
Some enamel reduction is usual, though it is measured in fractions of a millimeter. Certain cases can be done with almost no preparation at all.
Will it look obviously fake?
Only if it is designed that way. We work from your face, not from a catalogue shade. Most patients want to look like themselves on a good day.
How long does cosmetic work take?
A whitening case is two weeks. Veneers usually run three to four appointments over a month. Full mouth rehabilitation can span a year.
Not sure which?
Honest dentistry, since 1987.
We will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what we would leave alone.
- Over 50,000 patients treated since 1987
- Comprehensive new patient exam including oral cancer screening
- Three doctors and a long-tenured team
- Most major dental plans accepted
Been told you need a lot of work somewhere else? Second opinions are welcome and we give them straight.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
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