Dental Veneers vs. Crowns
Cosmetically, veneers and crowns tend to generate the same or very similar results, but the two involve very different processes and significant price differences. If you are struggling to figure out which dental process is right for you—you are not alone, and we are here to help clear things out. Both methods are used to restore teeth, but it is all about how much of the tooth needs restoring. Let’s get started!
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Quick Introduction to Dental Crowns
Crowns are used to cover up teeth with extensive damage, such as decayed or damaged teeth, and it works like a type of dental cap. This cap covers the whole tooth, and not just a part of it, which gives you an aesthetically pleasing prosthesis that has been color matched to blend in with the rest of your teeth.
There is usually no need to have crowns replaced as long as you apply good oral care, and many people go through the rest of their lives without ever having to worry about their crowns or the natural tooth underneath. While this option is mostly recommended in cases where the tooth needs extensive filling or reconstruction, the procedure could also be recommendable in other situations.
The Process of Getting Crowns
Before the process of having your crown manufactured and put in, the natural tooth where the crown will be placed needs to be conditioned. The process of conditioning the tooth for a crown can include getting fillings such as a root canal, or the tooth might even need to be reshaped or reconstructed for the crown to fit over it properly.
Depending on the material, crowns help strengthen your existing teeth and provide good bite strength, so that you can eventually chew normally, just like you would if having healthy and strong natural teeth. There are a few different materials to choose from depending on your needs and preferences, as well as where the crown will be put in, and common materials are porcelain, metal or porcelain with a metal base.
The mold for your permanent dental crown is created by taking a scan of your mouth and teeth, and you are usually given a temporary crown so that you can continue living, eating and chewing normally until the permanent crown has been fabricated.
Dental Crown Prices
The price for a dental crown in the United States costs around $1,000 to $3,500, according to a study completed by the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, and this only includes the crown itself and the procedure to have it put in, and you would have to pay extra for any preparation work done, such as having a root canal or reshaping the tooth.
Prices are similar in countries like the United Kingdom and many other European countries, and this is one of the reasons why dental tourism to cheaper locations is becoming increasingly popular. Traveling to the right destination to have crowns put in can save you anywhere from 30-70% of the cost in your home country.
So, What are Veneers?
Veneers are made with the same porcelain materials that we see in crowns, but instead of having a cap-like construction that covers up the whole tooth, veneers only cover the front of your affected teet. It works like a thin shield that covers up any discoloring, chips or displeasing aesthetics, and veneers also help protect the front of your teeth from further staining and damage.
You essentially get to keep more of your natural tooth when having veneers put in, and it is a less invasive procedure that may or may not require local anesthesia. This procedure is known to be used by those looking for a cosmetic improvement to their teeth, but also to fix minor issues such as surface damages to the enamel.
The Dental Veneer Procedure
The first step when getting veneers is to have the enamel of the tooth slightly ground down, as this is what will help the veneer “stick” or bond to the tooth. The surface needs to be slightly rougher than what your enamel normally is, and while it used to be standard to ground approximately 0.5 millimeters off your enamel, newer procedures can now do the same job without having to take as much off.
In a case where you have very weak enamel or where there is barely any enamel left on the tooth, then a veneer is unlikely to be a good option for you since it won’t stick the way it is supposed to.
Cost of Getting Veneers
Porcelain veneers can cost anywhere between $925 to $2,500 in the United States, and composite veneers (which may not last quite as long as porcelain veneers) usually cost $250 to somewhere around $1,500 per tooth. Our research shows similar prices across the UK, Scandinavia and other nearby countries.
Just like with dental crowns, you have the option to look abroad when needing veneers, as it is likely to save you a significant amount of money on a quick and mostly pain-free procedure, that is ideal for those only needing a small improvement to their teeth.
Dental Veneers vs. Crowns
Now that we’ve had a look at crowns and veneers individually, it is time to have a look at what the two have in common and what separates them. The goal is to help you decide which of the two that would benefit you more, but you can always consult with a dentist if you are unsure or have questions.
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Veneers and Crowns
Let’s start by looking at the pros and cons of dental veneers:
What we can see here is that dental veneers offer a quick and aesthetically pleasing solution to less extensive dental issues, and the main draw-back is that you are likely going to need to have them replaced at some point in your life. Expect composite veneers to last approximately 5-7 years before needing to be replaced, and porcelain to last several years longer but rarely for a lifetime.
Having crowns put in, on the other hand, is a more permanent solution compared to getting veneers, and they are known (and expected) to last significantly longer when cared for correctly. The procedure is slightly more invasive and you will have to be ready to potentially lose a larger part of your natural tooth, but the end result is both durable and natural looking.
Do you need a little extra help deciding which one is right for you? Follow the steps below.
Step One: Fill Out Our Form
To receive the best treatment tailored to you, you’ll need to enter any necessary information on our form to get in touch with the best dental specialists in Turkey.
Step Two: Get a Free Dental Evaluation
Answer a few simple questions such as your age and whether or not you’ve had a veneer or crown procedure done before. You’ll also be required to send a few pictures so that the various clinics can assess the current state of your teeth and determine which procedure will be best for you before receiving your personalised dental health report.
Step Three: Discuss with an Expert
Once the above steps have been completed, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss any concerns or ask any questions about the procedure with a recommended medical professional.
Step Four: Get Offers
Compare the different offers from the best clinics in Turkey and determine which will be best suited to your needs.
Veneers vs. Crowns | Pros & Cons
Veneers | Crowns | ||
Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
You get to keep more of your natural teeth. | A veneer procedure cannot be reversed. | Full coverage of the tooth offers excellent protection. | Your natural teeth may need to be reshaped to accommodate the crown. |
Blends in beautifully with both your gum and teeth. | Veneers may need to be replaced after a few years. | Highly natural looking results once color-matched. | Cost may go up if extensive reshaping of the tooth is needed. |
| Is unlikely to change your bite or need trimming. | They can be quite expensive | Easy to care for and keep clean. | PFM (Porcelain fused to metal) crowns may have a visible line next to your gums. |
They will not stain | Does not offer full protection of the tooth. | Crowns last 20+ years to a lifetime with proper care. | You may experience sensibilities in the beginning after the crown is put in. |
Less expensive than full dental crowns. | Grinding of the enamel could cause increased sensitivities. | Increased bite strength. | A line between the tooth and the crown might be visible. |
How to Know if Veneers or Crowns are Right for You
Whether you should opt for veneers or go with crowns instead depends on the state of your tooth. You may also require dental implants in more severe cases. A dentist can help you make the decision if needed, but ask yourself this: Are you looking to restore a severely damaged tooth or are you more interested in improving the aesthetics of a discoloured or chipped tooth?
Veneers don’t provide the same level of protection and restoration as a crown, but are great options for those who just wish to improve the way their teeth look or to get that flashy and white smile. Choose the procedure in accordance with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Veneers vs. Crowns
No, veneers and crowns are two different dental restoration procedures, where veneers only cover the front of your teeth, and crowns work as a protective cap that covers the whole tooth.
Which one is better depends on what you need and on the condition of the tooth in question. Crowns are better for severely damaged teeth or teeth needing big fillings or root canals, while veneers are a great option for someone who is mostly wanting to improve the cosmetic aspect of the tooth.
Voor een eerlijke prijs kun je daardoor geholpen worden, waarbij de kennis en technieken kwalitatief het sterkste zijn. Ook kun je op een ‘vakantie’ meer focussen op het herstelproces dan dat je dit thuis in Nederland zou moeten doen.
Whether you should get crowns or veneers is determined on a tooth-by-tooth basis, and you can have some crowns put in where needed, and veneers where only a small correction is required.
Yes, dental crowns cost more than veneers, but you also need to consider that crowns last longer and protect more of your tooth, and can therefore be seen as a long-term investment.
No, veneers usually need to be replaced after a few years, while dental crowns last 20+ years and to a lifetime depending on how well they are cared for.