An interesting question that comes up at our Tumut dental clinic is if dental crowns are better than veneers. It’s usually asked by patients who are considering our veneers vs dental crowns in Tumut. Unfortunately, this is not a question that can be answered simply. To help you determine whether dental crowns or veneers are better for you, here’s what you need to know about both of these common treatments with a comparison at the end of the article.
What are dental crowns?
Dental crowns are a restorative dental treatment used to protect damaged teeth and restore their function. They also serve a cosmetic function as they restore teeth back to a natural appearance. A crown restoration is a tooth cap, usually made from porcelain, that is fitted over the damaged tooth or on a dental implant. It looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
What dental problems can a crown fix?
- Damaged teeth
- Decayed teeth or large fillings
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Severely worn down teeth
- Protects a tooth after surgeries like a root canal
- A missing tooth (with a dental implant)
A lot of the time, crowns and bridges are categorised together in dentistry. Bridges are similar to crowns with the main difference being that they are used to restore multiple missing or damaged teeth in a row. They attach to the neighbouring teeth. Contact us to enquire about our dental bridges in Tumut if this sounds more suitable for your condition.
The pros and cons of dental crowns
Pros
- Restores severely damaged teeth back to full function
- Restores severely damaged teeth back to a natural appearance
- Typically lasts 10-15 years but can last longer
- Typically made from stain-resistant porcelain
- Can be colour-matched to suit a patient’s smile
Cons
- Irreversible treatment
- Expensive
- Requires repair or replacement after a period of time
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment that also serves a restorative function. A veneer is a thin shell-like restoration that covers the affected tooth. They can be used to correct many different kinds of aesthetic issues and minor orthodontic concerns. Similar to crowns, veneer teeth also look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
What dental problems can veneers fix?
- Stained or Discoloured Teeth
- Chipped or Broken Teeth
- Overcrowding
- Gapped teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Misshapen teeth
The pros and cons of porcelain veneers
Pros
- Porcelain veneers in Tumut are stain-resistant
- Typically lasts 10-15 years
- Can be colour-matched to suit a patient’s smile
- Generally a little bit cheaper than crowns
Cons
- Irreversible treatment
- Requires repair or replacement after a period of time
- Expensive
- Cannot fix severe issues i.e severely broken or crowded teeth
So, veneers vs crowns which is better?
It is clear to see that veneers and crowns offer a lot of similar benefits when it comes to their appearance. The biggest difference is the types of situations they are used for.
While both treatments are high-quality and often made from the same materials such as porcelain, dental crowns are the better choice for patients with more severe dental damage. If a tooth is significantly damaged or broken into pieces, a veneer is unlikely to be suitable.
Where to get veneers or dental crowns in Tumut
If you are interested in either of these treatments to restore your smile, our experienced dentist in Tumut offers both dental crowns and porcelain veneers. If you have any queries about veneers or dental crown costs in Tumut or would like to determine which treatment is ideal for your situation, book a consultation at Tumut Dental today.
