Crowns vs. Veneers: Which Do I Need?

If you’ve lost one or more teeth or chipped or cracked ones that you still have, you may be wondering which restoration option would be the best choice. Two common and popular options are crowns and veneers, but which, if either, would be appropriate?

At Fluegge Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Fluegge and our team specialize in restoring damaged or lost teeth. We routinely place both crowns and veneers. Which one we recommend depends on the nature of your problem. Here, we give you some guidance on which option is better for your needs.

What are crowns?

A dental crown, also known as a cap, is a hat-like appliance that sits over a tooth, holds it together, and/or gives it strength. The dentist removes a small amount of enamel to ensure it fits snuggly.

We recommend crowns for:

• A large cavity too big for a filling
• A tooth that’s severely worn, cracked, or weakened
• A tooth that’s had a root canal; the remaining tooth is fragile and needs protection
• An anchor for a dental bridge
• The visible portion of a dental implant

The crowns can be manufactured from a variety of materials:

Metals

Common metals include gold, palladium, nickel, chromium, or a mixture. Metal crowns don’t chip or break, wear the longest, require minimal enamel removal, and are great at withstanding biting and chewing forces.

Their biggest problem is their color — most people don’t want reflective teeth where everyone can see them. That’s why metal is generally reserved for the back molars.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)

PFM crowns combine the durability of metal with the natural look of porcelain, and we can shade it to match your surrounding teeth.

Still, PFM crowns have some drawbacks. The porcelain coating can chip over time, exposing the metal beneath. They may also gradually wear down the enamel on your opposing teeth.

Pressed ceramic

Like the PFM crowns, a pressed ceramic crown has a hard inner core, but it’s ceramic instead of metal, with layers of porcelain on top to mimic the translucency of natural teeth.

Also available are all-ceramic, all-porcelain, and all-resin crowns, which are usually weaker than the other types.

The biggest advantage of a dental crown is that it prolongs the life of a natural tooth while protecting it from erosion, improving chewing function, and enhancing your appearance. 

With the proper care, crowns can last between five and 15 years.

What are veneers?

Veneers are incredibly thin shells that bond to the front surface of your teeth. We use veneers most often for the more visible front teeth. They’re considered more of a cosmetic option than dental crowns but also serve practical purposes like sealing chips and cracks.

Veneers cover:

• Broken or chipped teeth
• Severe staining or other discoloration that whitening can’t fix
• Gaps in the teeth
• Smaller-than-average teeth
• Unusually shaped teeth

And because they’re made of strong porcelain or resin, they can help protect the tooth against acid and decay. Some can last more than a decade.

So, which do you need? It depends on your dental problem. If you’re looking for a fresher smile, you’d do well with dental veneers. If you’ve just had a root canal, you need a crown to cover the remaining portion of the tooth. Speak with Dr. Fluegge about his recommendations for your particular mouth.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Fluegge Family Dentistry at 509-888-3384 or book online today.