Veneers and crowns are typically presented as similar options for patients to choose from. But in most cases, these treatments serve different purposes. Veneers are mostly cosmetic, meaning they enhance the appearance of your smile. Crowns, in contrast, improve the strength of your teeth and help prevent extraction. While they may be used interchangeably in some situations, there is usually a clear solution for each patient depending on their specific case. If you’re torn between veneers vs. crowns for treatment, visit St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI. We offer free consultations to help patients like you find the right treatment for their smiles.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or ceramic that we use to cover the imperfections in your teeth. This cosmetic procedure aims to conceal issues like:
- Cracks and chips
- Minor misalignments
- Stains and discoloration
- Misshapen teeth
During your free consultation with us, we will assess your smile to make sure it’s healthy enough for veneers. If so, we’ll work with you to design each veneer down to the very last detail. You get to decide the length, size, shape, and color of each tooth, creating your ideal smile.
The veneer process itself is simple. When comparing veneers vs. crowns, veneer treatment is minimally invasive!
We begin with a local anesthetic to numb your smile. Then, we use specialized dental tools to reduce your front-facing enamel by about half a millimeter. This small preparation process creates enough room for these thin shells of porcelain to sit flush against your smile, blending in seamlessly with your natural teeth.
What Are Crowns?
A dental crown is less of a cosmetic treatment and more of a restorative one.
When a tooth is decaying, we often use a dental filling to repair it. However, some decay is too extreme and may need a dental crown instead.
Additionally, crowns repair damaged teeth by covering vulnerable areas to protect your smile from infection. With a dental crown, we can avoid extraction. These tooth-shaped caps keep your teeth functional, allowing you to chew normally with a damaged tooth.
To place a crown, we remove enamel from all sides of your tooth. Once we shape your tooth, we place a dental crown on top to protect your smile. Of course, dental crowns do offer cosmetic benefits, as they cover damage and decay. But the crown process is a little more invasive than veneers, so we don’t always recommend crowns for purely cosmetic reasons.
Veneers vs. Crowns in Sterling Heights, MI
Dental veneers and crowns differ in procedure, cost, and outcome. The best solution depends on your specific situation.
| Veneers | Crowns | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | The veneer process is minimally invasive. While both procedures are irreversible, veneers involve less enamel removal and usually heal faster than crowns. | Placing dental crowns involves removing enamel from all sides, effectively shaving down your tooth. The process is a little more invasive than veneers and may result in a longer healing period. |
| Cost | Porcelain veneers are cosmetic, so most insurance companies won’t cover the treatment. In many cases, patients must rely on dental financing to afford veneer treatment. | Dental crowns are mainly restorative, meaning dental insurance may cover them. In most cases, your plan will provide some coverage for crowns, making them more affordable. |
| Outcome | Veneers help improve the appearance of your teeth. Because you help design these thin shells of porcelain, you can enjoy a perfect smile that looks the way you want it to. And at St. Apollonia, veneers are one of the longest-lasting procedures we offer. With the proper care, veneers last 35 years or more! | Dental crowns help restore broken, damaged, or decayed teeth. While they do provide aesthetic advantages, they are mainly for repairing teeth. With a dental crown in place, you can function normally and enjoy a solution that will last for years to come. |
Veneers vs. Crowns: Find Out Which Is Right for You
When considering veneers vs. crowns, you may not know which solution suits your needs. At St. Apollonia Dental, we’ll help you find the right treatment for your smile with a free consultation! There, we will assess your smile and discuss your options. Veneers are a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of your teeth, while crowns are more restorative. Dental crowns help strengthen broken teeth, keep them functional, and prevent the need for extraction. Book your free consultation with us in Sterling Heights, MI, today to learn more!
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