When you are self-conscious about your smile, it can impact every aspect of your life. Damaged teeth do more than impact your confidence; they can also affect your ability to eat or speak clearly. Fortunately, dental restoration options are available to improve the appearance and function of your teeth with beautiful, long-lasting results. If you are choosing between veneers and crowns, understanding their differences can help you decide which procedure is the best for your needs.
Veneers vs. Crowns: Similarities and Differences
Both veneers and crowns are used to enhance your appearance by restoring discolored, crooked, or damaged teeth. Most are designed to match your natural tooth color, so they blend beautifully with your smile. Both crowns and veneers offer long-lasting results and require the same care as the rest of your teeth.
While veneers and crowns have quite a bit in common, they are also quite different in what they do and how they fit your teeth. Veneers fit over the front surfaces of your teeth, leaving the sides and backs of your teeth exposed. Crowns cover the entire tooth and are typically thicker than veneers. Because of this, crowns offer more structural support, which is why they tend to last much longer than veneers.
Dental veneers are usually recommended for patients seeking cosmetic improvement to hide discoloration, gaps, or cracks in their teeth. Dental crowns are used to repair broken or weakened teeth caused by decay, teeth grinding, or previous root canals. In most cases, veneers focus on appearance, while crowns address both function and appearance.
Veneers are considered a cosmetic treatment, so insurance rarely covers their cost. Because crowns address actual damage to the teeth, insurance may cover a portion or all of your procedure.
What is a Dental Veneer?
Dental veneers are available in resin composite and porcelain materials and are placed over the front of existing teeth to conceal cosmetic concerns. They can create a uniform shape, size, and color that beautifies your teeth and gives you more confidence in your appearance. Composite veneers cost less than porcelain veneers, but porcelain veneers are typically longer-lasting and require fewer replacements over a lifetime.
The dental veneer procedure involves removing a small amount of tooth enamel from the front of the tooth and creating a digital impression of your teeth so your veneers match them precisely. Once the veneers return from our lab, they are securely attached to your teeth in a single treatment session. Porcelain veneers can last 7-15 years, while composite veneers usually last 5-7 years.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Veneers are often used to address the following concerns:
- Minor tooth misalignment
- Gaps between teeth
- Discolored, stained teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Worn tooth enamel
What is a Dental Crown?
Ceramic crowns are fully secured over a tooth or dental implant to provide support and conceal significant damage or cosmetic issues. At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, we use CEREC® (Chairside Economic Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology to produce and place ceramic crowns in a single day, rather than extending the process over multiple appointments.
Ceramic crowns blend with your natural teeth, making them nearly unnoticeable. They can improve function and appearance, strengthening weak teeth to make eating and talking easier. Crowns can last 15 years or longer with proper care and maintenance.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Patients usually get dental crowns to address more severe damage, such as:
- Significant tooth decay that is too much for a filling
- Broken or severely cracked teeth
- Teeth that have been weakened by decay
- Teeth that become brittle after a root canal
- Mishapen or undersized teeth
Veneers vs. Crowns: How Long Do They Last?
Both crowns and veneers are durable, but crowns tend to last longer than veneers for most patients. Porcelain veneers typically need replacement after 7-15 years, while composite veneers only last about 5-7 years. Crowns can last 15 years or longer. The actual durability of your dental work depends on how well you care for your teeth with daily brushing and regular visits to your dentist.
Learn More About Your Options for Veneers vs. Crowns in San Diego, CA
Both veneers and crowns offer outstanding results for the right patient when performed by an experienced dentist in San Diego, CA, such as the doctors at La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics. To learn more about the differences and similarities between the two, schedule your consultation by calling our San Diego dental office at 858-295-0603 or completing our online contact form.
