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What is the Difference Between a Dental Veneer and a Dental Crown?

K T Solis
K T Solis

A person's smile can affect the way the world sees her. Over time, crooked, broken, or discolored teeth can lower self-esteem and cause a person to hide her face from the world. Fortunately, it's possible to obtain healthy, attractive teeth with the help of a cosmetic dentist or oral surgeon. The dental professional must consider several factors before deciding which method to use to improve the appearance of a patient's teeth. The most common types of procedures used for improving teeth are the application of a dental veneer and a dental crown.

There are several similarities between these two types of dental work. Both are custom-made moldings designed to give patients white, healthy teeth. First, a mold is taken of the tooth before it is sent to a dental laboratory. The veneer or crown is tailored to the patient's mouth. Once it is sent back to the dentist or oral surgeon, an adhesive is used to fit the molding to the patient's tooth.

Despite these similarities, a dental veneer and dental crown have differences. Crowns enclose the entire tooth, while veneers only encase the front part. Veneers cover the part of the tooth that is revealed when a person smiles.

Dental crowns will enclose the entire tooth, while veneers only encase the front of the tooth.
Dental crowns will enclose the entire tooth, while veneers only encase the front of the tooth.

In order to place a dental crown on a person's tooth, the dentist must reduce the thickness of the tooth so that the crown can fit over it. The thickness is usually reduced by about 2 millimeters (0.0787 inches) or more. In contrast, a tooth destined for a dental veneer only needs to have its thickness reduced by about 1 millimeter (0.0394 inches) or less.

Straighter, whiter teeth can help improve a person's appearance.
Straighter, whiter teeth can help improve a person's appearance.

Another difference between a dental veneer and a dental crown is the fact that both are used for different situations. Crowns are ideal for drastically changing the shape and color of a tooth. They are used to repair teeth that are chronically broken or decayed. Dental crowns are strong and are especially useful for types of teeth that perform most of the grinding and chewing. Since they encase an entire tooth, the original tooth needs to be reduced a great deal.

Both a dental veneer and a dental crown require creating a plaster mold of a patient's mouth.
Both a dental veneer and a dental crown require creating a plaster mold of a patient's mouth.

Veneers are used on patients whose tooth structure is basically still strong and healthy. Although the teeth may be discolored, have gaps, or be misshapen or crooked, they can still be salvaged. Since they only cover the front part, the tooth does not need to be reduced as much as one needing a crown. Veneers are strong but brittle; therefore, teeth that do much of the chewing and grinding work should not be fitted with dental veneers.

Veneers only encase the front part of the tooth that is visible when a person smiles.
Veneers only encase the front part of the tooth that is visible when a person smiles.

Both types of dental work are both good options for people who would like to transform their damaged teeth into something more aesthetically pleasing. They last for many years and can withstand stains from tea, coffee, and cigarettes. Scientific breakthroughs in the dentistry field have made it possible to mask unsightly teeth, changing their color, shape, and overall appearance. Patients should speak with a cosmetic dentist or oral surgeon in order to determine whether a dental veneer or a crown are options for their specific needs.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

@rundocuri- Yes, a dentist should be able to give you a dental veneer and crown that are very close in color to that of your natural teeth. This is a concern that you should talk to your dentist before he or she begins to work on your mouth so you are sure to get the results you want.

Most dentists have color guides that they can hold up to their patients' teeth to get good color matches for veneers and crowns. This helps prevent snow white crowns when the natural teeth are much darker in color. The companies that make these dental materials are also aware of how important it is to dental patients to have matching teeth, so they are careful to check the colors and match them as closely as possible during the manufacturing process.

The people that you are referring to that have mismatched colored teeth possibly have old veneers and crowns. Years ago, these dental devices often looked unnatural and didn't match real teeth. With today's dental technology, it is usually hard to tell the difference.

Rundocuri

I have been thinking about having some cosmetic dental work done that includes a dental veneer and a dental crown. I have seen this work done on friends and family, and I think that sometimes it doesn't look natural. It seems like the crowns and veneers are often much whiter than the natural teeth. I'm wondering if it is possible for a dentist can match the color of the veneers and crowns to a person's own teeth, because I do not want an unnatural looking result.

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    • Dental crowns will enclose the entire tooth, while veneers only encase the front of the tooth.
      By: kocakayaali
      Dental crowns will enclose the entire tooth, while veneers only encase the front of the tooth.
    • Straighter, whiter teeth can help improve a person's appearance.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Straighter, whiter teeth can help improve a person's appearance.
    • Both a dental veneer and a dental crown require creating a plaster mold of a patient's mouth.
      By: milosljubicic
      Both a dental veneer and a dental crown require creating a plaster mold of a patient's mouth.
    • Veneers only encase the front part of the tooth that is visible when a person smiles.
      By: Sulabaja
      Veneers only encase the front part of the tooth that is visible when a person smiles.