Veneers vs. Crowns: Which is Better to Save Your Pearly White Smile?

Tooth cracks, chips and stains are the leading causes you need to undergo dental restoration methods. Thanks to modern cosmetic dentistry, you don’t need to hide significant damage to your teeth.

Veneers vs crowns are the two great options to restore your teeth functionalities while enhancing your smile. Both of these treatments can elevate the aesthetic appearance, but there are some key differences that you need to know before taking the final call.

Let’s dig deeper.

Veneers vs. crowns: similarities you should Know

Are crowns and veneers the same? If you think so, in short, I want to tell you that crowns and veneers are not the same; crowns cover the entire tooth, while veneers are thin shells that only cover the front surface for cosmetic purposes.

  • Both crowns and veneers are dental treatments that improve the function and appearance of your teeth.
  • Veneers and crowns restore the full/partial damaged, discoloured, chipped, decayed, broken teeth.
  • Both of these restorative methods can match the colour of your teeth to provide you with a seamless, pearly white smile.
  • The aftercare for both veneers and crowns is the same. You need to use teeth and floss to remove the food particles.
  • You need to make an appointment with your dentist to check the present condition of the restorations.

Veneers vs. crowns: differences you must know

  • A dental crown covers your entire tooth, while a porcelain veneer is bonded with the front surface of your tooth. Veneers look more pleasing than crowns, as they show less gum margin.
  • Crowns are thicker compared to veneers.
  • Crowns are more permanent than veneers.
  • You may need to replace the veneers after certain years, but crowns can last long based on time-to-time maintenance.

Differences between dental crowns and veneers, with variations in the keyword order:

FeatureDental CrownVeneer
ApplicationFull tooth coverageFront surface only
ThicknessThickerThin
PurposeRestorativeCosmetic
Tooth PreparationRequires more tooth reductionMinimal tooth reduction
DurabilityHighly durableLess durable
Color CustomizationCustomized but not as versatileHighly customizable
StrengthStrong and protectiveLess protective
Typical UseDamaged or weakened teethDiscolored or misshapen front teeth
Front Teeth VariantsFront teeth crownsFront teeth veneers
PopularityCommon for molarsCommon for front teeth
CostGenerally more expensiveGenerally more affordable
InstallationUsually requires two visitsOften completed in one visit
ReversibilityIrreversible, tooth structure removalReversible, minimal tooth structure alteration

Benefits Of Dental Implants

Veneers vs. crowns: pros and cons

Both veneers and crowns have their own sets of pros and cons. Here you go-

Pros of crowns

  • The tooth will be covered fully to protect it from decay.
  • It is relatively permanent. You don’t need to remove the same for cleaning.
  • Porcelain crowns look like your original teeth.

Cons of crowns

  • Your dentist will remove the natural tooth to make room for the crown.
  • You may experience gum pain, and the crowned tooth may be sensitive to cold and heat. You must schedule a follow-up visit if the pain persists for a long time.
  • Porcelain can be damaged at any time due to its brittleness.

Pros of veneers

  • Veneers can be more aesthetically pleasing than crowns as they don’t show a gum margin like crowns.
  • You will experience the minimal movement of teeth with veneers.
  • Veneers don’t need a lot of trimming, so healthy natural teeth remain as it is.

Cons of veneers

  • Veneers are an irreversible process.
  • It leaves more areas causing your tooth to be exposed to new decay.
  • Composite veneers may cost less but only last 5-7 years. Other materials may last longer but need to be replaced.

Veneers vs. crowns: which one should you choose?

Based on the condition of your tooth and the results you want to gain, you can choose between veneers or crowns. Generally, crowns are regularly used by people with severe fillings, root canals or worn teeth.

On the contrary, veneers are the popular option because it’s a less invasive treatment. The dentist will recommend porcelain veneers if your tooth is intact and needs minor shape correction.

Front Teeth Veneers vs Crowns

When it comes to enhancing the appearance and functionality of your teeth, it's essential to understand the distinctions between dental crowns and veneers. Dental crowns offer comprehensive tooth coverage and are commonly used for damaged or weakened teeth, while veneers focus on the cosmetic improvement of the front teeth, often used to correct discoloration or misshapen front teeth. Front teeth crowns and veneers are popular options for cosmetic enhancements, but they differ in the extent of tooth preparation, cost, and durability. Veneers tend to require less tooth reduction, making them a more conservative choice, and they are generally more affordable. In contrast, dental crowns often involve more extensive tooth reduction and are considered more durable and protective. Therefore, the choice between front teeth veneers and crowns depends on your specific dental needs and aesthetic goals.

The process involved getting a veneer

  • The dentist will digitally scan your tooth or use a mould to make an impression of the prepared tooth.
  • The dentist will place a temporary veneer based on how many teeth were trimmed before.
  • Once the tooth is ready from the mould/digital scanned copy, the permanent veneer will replace the tentative one. A special cement will be formed to bond the tooth while hardening it with an ultraviolet lamp.
  • You need to follow some post-replacement guidelines.
  • Don’t forget to wear a night guard if you clench your tooth at night. It will protect the veneer.

The process involved getting a crown

  • The dentist will produce the impression of your tooth by making a mould/scanning it digitally.
  • The dentist will place a temporary crown on your ground-down tooth. You can use it till the permanent crown is ready.
  • Once the permanent crown is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary crown. After that, they will place the permanent crown and check if it fits correctly. Then, the dentist will cement the crown into place.

How much do veneers and crowns cost in Dubai?

  • Getting veneers in Dubai may cost 1000-5000 AED per tooth, depending on the quality of material used.
  • Porcelain fused to metal crowns may cost around 1000 to 3000 AED, while porcelain and zirconia crowns will cost 1500 and 5000 AED, respectively.

We Love Our Clients’ Smiles!

People in Dubai opt for dental restoration techniques to restore a warm smile. If you’re also experiencing a tooth issue that needs restoration, call Magnum Clinic to schedule an appointment! Our dentist will evaluate the tooth health and see what type of restoration suits you best!

Faqs - Dental Veneers vs Crowns

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers consist of stain-resistant and fine dental porcelain. This non-invasive dentistry cosmetic option leaves most of the tooth intact. Generally, porcelain veneers are about one millimetre thick. Veneers treatment are designed to fit every patient’s dental shape.

Irrespective of your teeth being gapped, crooked or protruding, a dentist will grind down the enamel about half a millimetre on the front of your tooth. It will make a veneer bond because the cement would grip better on a rougher surface. However, a veneer can only be placed if a tooth has plenty of enamel.

What are dental crowns?

A dental crown covers the entire tooth. It means that the tooth needs to fill before placing a crown. Generally, crowns are used to restore the teeth badly damaged by decay, fractures or cracks. If you need a dental crown for tooth decay, the dentist must remove the decayed part. He/she can rebuild some of the teeth to support the crown.

Dental crowns are usually moulded from either zirconia or porcelain. Zirconia crowns are made from Zirconium. It is a silicate that can be cemented by dentists, allowing them more options while installing them. On the contrary, porcelain crowns can provide a cost-effective solution. However, it may need an additional metal frame to support the crown.

Porcelain crowns have some drawbacks. It may discolour or have possible allergic reactions. On the other hand, Zirconia dental crowns don’t damage the adjacent teeth as it has a smooth exterior. Most patients find that Zirconia crowns are highly translucent. Also, it better restores the look of the original tooth.

Are veneers more expensive than crowns?

Veneers are generally less expensive than crowns.

What is better veneers or crowns?

The choice between veneers and crowns depends on your specific dental needs: veneers are better for cosmetic enhancements, while crowns are more suitable for extensive tooth restoration and protection.