Full Coverage Crowns Vs Veneers
If you’re considering different ways to improve the appearance of your teeth, you’ve probably heard of veneers, which provide many movie stars with their perfect smiles, and you might also know about the various types of crowns that can enhance people’s smiles – along with the many other methods people use to brighten or straighten their smiles. As you evaluate treatments, it can be helpful to assess similar treatments, like full coverage crowns and veneers, side by side, allowing you to fully understand both procedures and clearly see the pros and cons of each.
The most noticeable difference between veneers and full coverage crowns is that a veneer covers only the front of the tooth, while a full coverage crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. As a result of these structural differences, a veneer serves a solely cosmetic purpose, while a full coverage crown provides structural support and protection to the entire tooth. While both veneers and full coverage crowns can improve the appearance of damaged teeth, only full coverage crowns are also used in clinical procedures for medical reasons that have little to do with aesthetics. A crown can help restore the function and appearance of a tooth that is significantly damaged, broken, or weak, protecting the vulnerable tooth root while supporting its structure. In some cases, materials like metal alloys might be used to make the crown, though more aesthetic materials like porcelain and ceramic are used when aesthetic results are desired.
Common cosmetic concerns that drive people to seek treatment with veneers or crowns include discoloration that can’t be resolved with whitening methods; visibly cracked or broken teeth; crooked teeth; teeth that are misshapen or unusually sized; and decayed or weak teeth.
In order to support a veneer, there needs to be a sufficient amount of natural tooth present. Likewise, teeth that are extensively worn, decayed, or weakened will benefit more from the structural protection of a crown than from the more superficial protection of a veneer. While a veneer can be used to increase or improve the size or shape of a tooth, veneers are often best reserved for less substantial changes and used on teeth that are largely intact and structurally sound.
Because veneers are a strictly cosmetic procedure, they aren’t covered by insurance. While the price ranges widely depending on materials used and the dentist’s qualifications, porcelain veneers tend to cost anywhere from $900 to $2,500 per tooth. Because they can also serve a medical purpose, full coverage crowns might be covered, at least in part, by dental insurance, and otherwise range in cost from around $1,000 to $3,500 per tooth, depending mostly on the material used. If preliminary procedures like root canal treatments are needed before crown placement, these procedures are not included in the cost of the crown.
Because both treatments require damaging natural dental tissue, both crowns and veneers are considered permanent restorations, which means that you have to replace the crown or veneer if it’s damaged or otherwise compromised. Because they’re permanent, they’re also more expensive than some milder approaches to improving the looks of the teeth. If your goal is to improve the appearance of your smile, talk to your dentist. Whether the solution is veneers, crowns, or something simpler, your dentist will work with you to make sure you have the smile of your dreams.
Related Article: Partial vs Full Coverage Crowns