Porcelain Veneers Vs Dental Crowns?

This is a very good and frequently asked question to most cosmetic dentists. The main difference between porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers is the amount of tooth structure that is covered with porcelain.  Veneers are thin pieces of porcleian that cover the outside (lip side) portion of the tooth.  Crowns are made of the exact same porcelain, but cover the tooth 360 degrees.  There are several factors that determine whether a tooth receives a crown or veneer.  Aesthetics and occlusion (the bite) are both considered when making the decision as to the correct restoration for each individual tooth.  Hope this helps.

The first step to making your decision is understanding what both of these restorations are and how they work.





Dental crowns are also a type of porcelain shell, but they are designed to fit over most of your tooth, which allows them to fix a number of functionality issues as well as cosmetic ones. To place a crown, your dentist will need to shape your tooth so that the crown can fit over it and sit naturally among your other teeth.



Porcelain veneers are primarily a good option for cosmetic restorations that don’t affect the functionality of your teeth. This includes issues like stain-resistant discolorations, minor chips and cracks, damage to the enamel, minor misalignment's, and short, eroded, or widely spaced teeth.



Dental crowns can fix all of these problems, but are also an effective option when the functionality of your tooth has been compromised. For instance, a tooth that has broken or cracked due to trauma or decay can be repaired by a crown but not by a veneer. Crowns are also useful for building up teeth that are causing problems with your bite and for supporting and protecting a tooth that has had root canal therapy.



Both porcelain veneers and dental crowns are a lifelong commitment, so it’s important to consider your options carefully. Once your tooth has been prepped for one of these restorations, you will need to keep the restoration in place to protect your tooth.



The lifespan of your restorations will depend greatly on your dedication to dental hygiene and regular visits at your dental office. Both veneers and crowns are made of stain-resistant porcelain or ceramics, but without proper care, these restorations can still become discolored, and restorations cannot be bleached like natural teeth can. You should also use caution when eating to avoid biting down on hard substances like cherry pits. Habits like chewing nails or pencils could also damage your restoration.  Restorations can further be protected with the use of night-guards.

It all revolves around how much tooth structure is removed and how much tooth the veneer covers.  You can have a full coverage crown on a small peg lateral incisor with no tooth reduction.  You can place veneers that cover the fronts of teeth with no tooth removal as well.

Veneers are best, less invasive, more predicable and long lasting as compared to the dental crowns or anything else.

This a great Question, best answered by a Cosmetic Dentist who can make the recommendation based on an exam, x-rays, your budget and your expectations. Overall, if you have healthy teeth but dislike the shape, color, luster, symmetry, translucency and/or the size of your teeth then you may be a candidate for veneers. Veneers are more conservative and remove a lot less of your tooth structure, but if you have cavities and or broken teeth, you may be looking at crowns. Hope this helps and Good Luck!
Dr. Patty

It doesn't sound like you necessarily require veneers or crowns. Uneven teeth can be aligned with clear aligners. You could improve the shade of your teeth with one or two in-office whitening sessions. 
If on the other hand your teeth are chipped or worn you could easily improve the look of your smile with laminates. Crowns on anterior teeth would only be indicated if you have a substantial amount of missing tooth structure. 

For me, I recommend crowns when the natural teeth had previous work done, fillings, root canaled, or had a previous crown already.  If the natural teeth are healthy "virgin teeth", then that will make them a great Lumineers veneers candidate.  Patient bite is also very important to assess and help me determine whether crowns or veneers are indicated.

Veneers and crowns can produce similar results in terms of esthetics, the main differences being how much tooth structure is removed. You and your dentist should work together to decide what is best for your specific case. Crowns in general are preferred over veneers in patients that may grind or clench their teeth, as veneers are a more delicate restoration. Crowns also may be indicated if there is severe crowding that you are trying to address. Crowns may be chosen over veneers in certain cases depending on WHY you are getting the restoration and what you're trying to achieve. With any cosmetic procedure, you want to make sure you and your doctor have a clear understanding of your goals and expected result. 

Veneers are thin sheets of dental porcelain placed over the front of your teeth for a more uniform, brighter smile. They are entirely cosmetic, and generally do not restore much function. On the other hand, crowns are more like a cap for your teeth. They can restore function to teeth that have been badly weakened or damaged by decay. 
Which treatment is right for you can only be determined through an in person consultation, where your dentist can examine your teeth and listen to your concerns and goals. Combination treatments are often recommended if you have multiple issues with your teeth. 

Hi,
I am a big proponent of the minimally invasive dentistry therefore I really believe that  natural teeth are the best.
Veneers are always less invasive with saving a lot of natural tooth structure.
Recently with the introduction of the no prep veneers the veneer options became even more conservative to a point that we don't have to remove and drill any of the existing tooth enamel.
Some patients are good candidates for no prep veneers and for some cases only conventionally drilled veneers will work. 
In order to get a crown tooth has to be drilled completely which automatically means that 70% from the natural tooth will be lost.
In some case the only options if to have a crown placed.
Best way to tell if you are a candidate for minimally invasive veneers is to check with your dentist who will confirm the tooth shape, tooth shade, bite and tooth position before confirming if veneers or crowns have to be used.
I hope this helps,
Mina Levi DDS