What Is The Difference Between Veneers And Crowns?

Veneers and crowns are often mixed up because they're both used in cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry for a variety of teeth issues and concerns. So how are they actually different -- and what else do they have in common? Read on to learn the answer!

How Veneers and Crowns Are Alike

Veneers and crowns are alike in multiple ways, including everything below.

As mentioned above, veneers and crowns are potentially quite flexible, as they can be used as both a cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry device. For example, although most people think of veneers and crowns as a way to perfect the appearance of your teeth, they also have a side benefit of making your natural teeth stronger. 

Another way that veneers and crowns are alike is the material. The great majority of veneers and crowns are crafted from either porcelain or a porcelain blend. This gives veneers and crowns a very natural appearance. While porcelain is naturally quite white, it can be shaded in the dental laboratory so that it more closely matches the color of your natural teeth.

Veneers and crowns are both attached to your teeth with dental cement. Both veneers and crowns are considered to be permanent dental devices, which means they can't be attached or removed by anyone but your dentist. Although they won't last an entire lifetime, your veneers or crowns can potentially last for a decade or more as long as you take good care of them and have regular check-ups with your dentist. 

How Veneers and Crowns are Different

Veneers and crowns are different in a couple of significant ways, including the following.

While veneers cover only the front part of the tooth, crowns cover the entire tooth. And although it's not an absolute and unchangeable rule, in most cases veneers and crowns are used in different areas of the mouth. Veneers are the most common fix for the front teeth -- the ones that are most visible when you're smiling. Crowns are more commonly used for the mid-mouth and back-of-the-mouth teeth like the molars.

In general, crowns are considered to be stronger than veneers because they protect the whole tooth -- and have dental cement helping them stay adhered to both front and back of the teeth. Veneers can be a bit more fragile since they're single porcelain panels that are adhered to only the tooth front.

Ready to improve your smile with veneers or crowns? Talk to a cosmetic dentist from a clinic like Cherry Hill Dentistry LLC about which is best for your particular concerns.