Veneers vs. Crowns: Which is Right for You?

Years of wear, an injury, or decay can leave teeth looking unattractive. To restore your teeth, your dentist may recommend that you have dental veneers or crowns placed. Both treatments conceal damaged or blemished tooth structure behind a natural-looking dental restoration.

Although the treatments can deliver similar results, veneers and crowns are very different. To help our patients learn more about veneers vs. crowns, we offer this comprehensive overview. Below, you’ll learn how each treatment works and which option might be right for you. 

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are super-thin layers of porcelain or another durable material that a dentist bonds to the front of teeth. Veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment. Technicians fabricate veneers from a variety of materials that can include porcelain, resin composite, or some type of ceramic material. 

Porcelain is a great base material for veneers. Dr Rammo works with the material because it matches the natural lustre of teeth. Dr Rammo can customise the shells to perfectly blend in with your natural smile. 

Am I a Candidate for Veneers?

Pretty much anyone can be a great candidate for veneers. The main candidacy consideration is that you have a healthy layer of enamel that can support the veneer. Here are three common reasons our patients seek the drastic cosmetic results that veneers can deliver. 

Address Misshapen Teeth

If your teeth are misshapen, Dr Rammo can place veneers on the front of your misshapen teeth to completely revamp your smile. The veneers completely conceal the shape of your teeth, meaning that the treatment can restore symmetry to your smile. 

Address Gaps Between Teeth

A prominent gap between your teeth can malign an otherwise beautiful smile. Thankfully, Dr Rammo can customise two veneers that, when carefully cemented in place, bridge the gap in your smile. The results mean that you no longer have to be embarrassed to smile.

Brighten Your Smile

If your teeth have intrinsic stains, cleanings and whitening treatments may not address those cosmetic blemishes. One way that you can restore whiteness and lustre to your teeth is by having veneers placed on the blemished teeth.

Veneers completely conceal dental discolouration. No matter how deep and dark your stains are, the veneers will completely conceal the cosmetic defects.

Benefits of Veneers

Veneers remain a highly popular cosmetic treatment for many reasons. The treatment was developed in 1928, so it has a long track record. Our patients often site these top benefits of veneers.

Long-Lasting Results

With proper care and regular visits to justSMILE, your veneers can easily last one decade. Some veneers last well beyond that. 

The lifespan of your veneers will depend in part on the health of the underlying tooth. As long as the tooth structure remains healthy and free from decay, the veneer can maintain a strong adhesion to the tooth. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is one way to ensure that your teeth remain healthy and strong.

Avoid biting hard objects that can break or chip the veneer. With proper care, veneers will last for a long time but they will not last forever. When your veneers become worn, Dr Rammo can remove and replace your veneers during a convenient visit to our dental practice.

Versatile Treatment

One of the main benefits of veneers is that they can address a wide range of cosmetic issues. The placement of one or more veneers can address most cosmetic issues. Minor chips, discolouration, gaps, small teeth, and misshapen teeth are commonly addressed with this cosmetic treatment.  

Minimally Invasive

Veneer placement requires the removal of a small amount of tooth structure, but the treatment is less invasive than dental crown placement. Veneers are ultra-thin, and Dr Rammo will only have to around half a millimetre of enamel to make room for the veneers. 

How Are Veneers Placed?

Once your dentist establishes your candidacy for veneers, Dr Rammo will ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure. He will administer local anaesthesia to completely numb the tooth that is being treated.

Tooth Preparation

Your tooth will need to be prepared for veneer placement. Dr Rammo will gently remove a small amount of enamel in the area where the veneer will be placed. Once Dr Rammo has prepared your tooth, he will make an impression of your teeth.

Same-Day Veneers

Our office offers same-day veneers. Once our E4D technology fabricates your veneer, Dr Rammo will place them on your teeth using strong dental cement.

Adjusting to Your Veneers  

In the days following the placement of your veneers, you may notice that your bite feels a bit off. Your mouth will quickly adjust to the new restorations. It is generally recommended to avoid hot and cold foods and drinks for the first day or two after your veneers are placed. 

What Are Crowns?

Have you always wondered how crowns work? A crown is a restoration that covers the entire tooth. Crowns are made from a wide range of materials that include porcelain, metal, or a combination of ceramic and metal.  

Am I a Candidate for Crowns?

Crowns can be used for restorative or cosmetic purposes. Dr Rammo can determine your candidacy for crowns if you are experiencing any of the following.

To Restore Lost Tooth Structure 

Dental crowns are commonly placed following the removal of tooth structure. As a restoration, crowns protect the inner layers of the tooth and prevent further decay.

Dr Rammo may place a dental crown following the removal of decayed enamel. Or he may use a dental crown to protect your tooth following a root canal. Any restorative treatment that involves the removal of a significant amount of enamel will likely require that Dr Rammo places a dental crown to preserve and protect your tooth.

Dental crowns are often an ideal restorative treatment because it allows patients to preserve their tooth. Tooth preservation is preferable to tooth extraction because tooth roots preserve jawbone density.  

To Support a Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is supported by two dental crowns (one on each side of the prosthetic tooth). If you are missing one tooth or a few adjacent teeth, you may be a great candidate for a dental bridge, which requires the placement of two dental crowns.

If you desire a tooth replacement solution that replaces your tooth root, our office offers dental implants. An implant is a titanium post that replaces a lost tooth root.

Implants offer unparalleled stability for prosthetic teeth. Implants also preserve your jawbone density by preventing bone atrophy.  

For Cosmetic Purposes

Dental crowns can also be placed for cosmetic reasons. If your teeth are significantly blemished due to dental erosion, intrinsic stains, chips, or other reasons, you may be a great candidate for a dental crown.

Your final restoration will be made from high-quality porcelain that matches the colour and lustre of your natural enamel. Once Dr. Rammo has placed your crown, no one will be able to tell that you have a dental crown! 

Benefits of Crowns

One of the biggest benefits of having a crown placed is the expected lifespan of a crown. A dental crown can easily last a decade. With proper care and regular visits to our dental practice, your crown can last 20 years or even longer.

Maintaining good oral hygiene habits and avoiding biting hard objects that can dislodge your crown can help your restoration last longer.  

Crowns are also highly durable. The restorations are often placed on molars. Porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two can withstand the wear and tear of biting and chewing. 

How are Crowns Placed?

The dental crown procedure is straightforward. Your comfort will be a high priority. Dr Rammo will use local anaesthesia to ensure that your tooth is completely numb before he begins preparing your tooth.

Sedation Dentistry for Anxious Patients 

We understand that some patients feel anxious about dental procedures. We offer oral sedation and other options to help you relax throughout your procedure.

Preparing Your Tooth

Once you are relaxed, Dr Rammo will use a special drill to gently remove your tooth’s outer layer of enamel. This step removes the decayed or damaged area of your tooth. Preparing your tooth creates space for your new dental crown.

Fabrication of Your Crown Using E4D Technology

Once Dr Rammo has prepared your tooth, a digital impression of your tooth will be made. Our office offers one-hour dental crowns. Once our advanced E4D system fabricates your crown, Dr Rammo will ensure that the restoration is a perfect fit.

Placing Your Crown

Dr Rammo uses strong dental cement to place dental crowns in place. Dental crowns require a short adjustment period. Your mouth and jaw will naturally adjust to your new restoration within a few days.

Maintaining Your New Crown  

You should clean and maintain the restoration like natural teeth. The tooth underneath the crown is still susceptible to decay.

Regular visits to our dental practice for cleanings and exams can help Dr. Rammo spot and address any issues with your dental crown. If your crown becomes loose or dislodged, contact our office immediately.   

Veneers vs. Crowns: Which Open Is Right for Me?

If you think that you are a candidate for veneers or a crown, talk to your dentist. Dr. Rammo can describe each treatment in detail. The following examples can generally help you understand which option might be right for you.

When Veneers Are the Better Options

Veneers are often the better option when your tooth or teeth are in otherwise great shape. Veneers are generally considered cosmetic treatments, meaning they are not ideal for restoring a damaged tooth.

Veneers are also a better option for people who are looking for a minimally invasive procedure that doesn’t drastically alter their natural teeth. If you are looking purely for drastic cosmetic results and your teeth are in great shape, Dr Rammo may recommend that you have veneers placed.

The cosmetic treatment is also ideal when you want to revamp several or more teeth. Placing several crowns for cosmetic purposes isn’t usually practical due to the extensive tooth preparation that would be required. When celebrities or models want to completely transform their smiles, they rely on porcelain veneers.  

When Crowns Are the Better Option

Crowns are a great option to treat damaged or decayed enamel. Dental crowns deliver cosmetic results. They can prevent the need for a dentist to extract your tooth.

If you have a root canal scheduled, you will likely need a dental crown. A veneer will not restore the top of your tooth following a root canal. 

A crown may also be needed when dental fillings are not sufficient to restore lost tooth structure. Following a restorative treatment, a dental crown protects a tooth by encasing it completely in a porcelain cap.

If you are missing a tooth or a few adjacent teeth, dental crowns can be used to place a traditional bridge.  

Schedule Your Restorative or Cosmetic Treatment Today

Veneers and crowns can deliver drastic cosmetic results that can conceal discolouration, chips, and other minor cosmetic defects. If you are unhappy with the appearance of one or more teeth, let Dr Rammo and the team at justSMILE rejuvenate your teeth.

We strive to offer our patients the best experience and results that dentistry has to offer. Now that you understand the difference between veneers vs. crowns, schedule a consultation with Dr Rammo to learn which treatment is right for you. Our offices serve the Ramsgate and Woollahra communities.