CROWNS AND VENEERS

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Veneers and dental crowns are made of many different types of materials (including ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, gold alloy and base metal alloys).  The choice of material is dependent on many factors and your dentist will be happy to go over the reasons for specific choices. Veneers and crowns do have distinct differences. A crown encases the entire tooth; a veneer is bonded to the front surface of the tooth. The choice typically depends on the type of restoration a person requires. If a veneer is needed, the dentist shaves away only a thin layer of tooth enamel, and the core and back of the tooth is left alone.  A crown is prepped circumferentially around the tooth to make room for a full coverage restoration.   

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THICKNESS IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE

Wafer-thin porcelain veneers are typically just one millimeter thick, and can be even less than that. Dentists don’t have to trim as much tooth material and there’s no need to trim the backside either. In some cases, tooth reduction isn’t required, so there is minimal recovery. Dental crowns, on the other hand, are two millimeters thick or more and require more tooth enamel to be removed.  Veneers are however, not effective for back teeth, so are typically recommended only for certain front teeth.  

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