Veneers and porcelain crowns are two terms that come up in dental practices practically every day. To the average patient they might sound equally puzzling, but it’s well worth understanding the difference and knowing when each one is used.
Crown vs veneer – what’s the difference?
Porcelain crowns are the most commonly used type of crown. As the name suggests, they are made from porcelain, which is comparable in durability to natural teeth – though slightly less durable than metal crowns. If aesthetics matter more than durability, though, particularly for front teeth, porcelain crowns are the ideal choice. They are a permanent restoration that replaces the natural crown of a tooth that has been severely damaged for various reasons or removed when a tooth was extracted.
A veneer, on the other hand, is a thin porcelain plate – roughly half a millimetre thick – that is bonded to the natural tooth to correct aesthetic issues such as discolouration, chips, or misalignment. Because these issues tend to be most noticeable on teeth that are visible when smiling, veneers are also most commonly placed on front teeth. Both materials are matched for shade and shape so that the result looks like natural teeth.
Porcelain crowns – when are they used?
As you can gather from the above, crowns and veneers are not interchangeable. Porcelain crowns are used mainly in cases of:
- extensive tooth damage – when the natural crown has been badly damaged by decay, fracture, or pathological wear,
- weakened teeth after root canal treatment – to protect them from damage that could occur during eating,
- replacing an extracted tooth – in this case the crown is fixed to an implant, since there is no natural tooth root,
- bite problems – porcelain crowns are an alternative to lengthy orthodontic treatment, allowing bite correction by reshaping just a few teeth.
Porcelain crowns are an excellent substitute for traditional dentures. Having them fixed permanently means you get teeth that look very close to natural, and you can enjoy the comfort of not having to remove a denture or worrying about it falling out.
Porcelain veneers – when are they used?
The key difference between a crown and a veneer is that while a crown is placed on a heavily damaged tooth or in place of a missing one, a veneer is bonded to a healthy tooth that only needs cosmetic correction. Veneers cannot always be used, though – the dentist must confirm that the condition of your tooth and gums allows it. Veneers are not bonded to damaged or unhealthy teeth, and they are not suitable for patients who bite their nails or grind their teeth, as this can lead to veneer damage. Veneers are used, for example, in cases of:
- diastema – an unsightly gap between the two front teeth,
- discolouration – to conceal it beneath a thin veneer,
- optically enlarging a tooth – when a tooth is too small compared to the others,
- minor tooth misalignment – such as tilting or rotation,
- minor chips – cracks can cause discomfort when consuming cold drinks, for example, which will no longer be felt once the chip is covered.
A veneer, as well as masking imperfections, has another advantage – it is highly resistant to tartar and staining. Some also say a veneer is harder than natural enamel. Even so, it is wise to be careful with hard foods and to maintain good oral hygiene.
Porcelain crowns and veneers – the procedure
Whether fitting a crown or a veneer, the tooth must first be prepared. If a crown is to sit on a natural tooth, the tooth roots should have been root-canal treated and the tooth fully devitalised. The tooth also needs to be reshaped to allow the crown to be seated – and in many cases the neighbouring teeth may need to be shaped as well.
The amount of tooth reduction for a crown is much greater than for a veneer, where only a very thin surface layer is removed to improve bonding. After shaping, the dentist takes an impression and sends it to a dental laboratory, where a fitted veneer or crown is made.
During the waiting time – usually around 10 days – the patient is fitted with a temporary composite veneer or temporary crown. There is no need to worry about pain, as crown and veneer placement is generally carried out under local anaesthetic.
To sum up, there is no question that both porcelain crowns and veneers significantly improve the appearance of your teeth. They are not, however, interchangeable procedures. The choice of which solution to use in a given case should always be made by the dentist.
