Patients who want to enhance their smile are often in doubt about how to do it. Teeth whitening is the first choice for patients who are satisfied with the shape, size, and position of their teeth. But what should you do when you also want to change these characteristics of your teeth? Crowns and veneers are two types of restorations that can change the appearance of teeth. What most often causes patients to hesitate is – which method is the best?
There Is No Universal Solution
There is no universally best method. Each patient is a case of their own, and every set of teeth is individual. There are situations where it is better to apply crowns, as well as situations where we prefer to use veneers. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method of solving the aesthetics of your teeth?
Crowns
Crowns (or caps, as patients often call them) are prosthetic restorations that are placed on previously prepared teeth. To prepare a tooth means to reduce its volume by the thickness of the material from which the crown is made. The materials most commonly used for making crowns are zirconia and metal-ceramic.
With crowns, it is possible to change the shape and position of the teeth, as well as their color and size. In addition, this method can also resolve gaps between two adjacent teeth. Crowns can also correct larger anomalies (e.g., a recessed or protruding tooth). The use of crowns is very wide because, by reducing the tooth, it is possible to achieve changes in size and position.
Also, for teeth that were previously filled, treated, or fractured, we recommend making crowns, because in addition to aesthetics, they also protect the tooth and extend its lifespan.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They can be placed on teeth that have not been previously prepared, as well as on teeth that are prepared only on the front surface. The fact that the entire tooth is not reduced for veneer placement speaks in favor of the idea that large changes cannot be made with veneers. With veneers, it is possible to influence all the characteristics of the teeth as with crowns (color, shape, size), but to a lesser extent.
On the other hand, veneers are an excellent solution for patients who want to improve the appearance of their natural, healthy teeth that have not been previously fractured or treated. Veneers do not require tooth reduction to be placed, which often represents an important factor for patients when making a decision. By placing veneers in a row on the front surfaces of the teeth, it is easy to achieve an ideal dental arch.
How to Make a Decision?
To be sure which of these two solutions is best for your teeth, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with a dentist. In addition to the aesthetic characteristics of crowns and veneers, it is also necessary to plan their function, i.e., to harmonize them with your bite, so that their lifespan is as long as possible and so that the teeth whose appearance has been changed properly participate in chewing. If they are well made and properly maintained, both crowns and veneers can last for many years in the mouth.
