Crowns vs Veneers: Discover Your Path to a Dazzling Smile

Discover the key differences between crowns vs veneers. Learn which option is best suited for your dental needs.

Crowns and veneers are two powerful tools in our arsenal to enhance and rejuvenate your smile. Both options open a gateway to a future where your smile is not just restored but brilliantly refined. While crowns and veneers have their unique roles, both offer paths to a radiant, confident smile.

This guide, brought to you by the caring professionals at Swish, will enlighten you about these options and their benefits, and help you determine the right choice for your dental needs.

What Veneers and Crowns Can Do for Your Smile at Swish Dental

Embark on a journey of transformation at Swish Dental, where veneers and crowns are not just treatments, but gateways to a new world of confidence and joy. Imagine looking in the mirror and seeing a smile that radiates vitality, a reflection of your inner self. That's the power of what we do at Swish.

Veneers: Your Ticket to a Flawless Smile

Dreaming of a Hollywood Smile? Veneers are your answer. These thin, yet incredibly strong, porcelain shells are expertly crafted and bonded to your teeth, giving you a flawless, bright smile. They are perfect for correcting imperfections such as stains, chips, or gaps. With veneers from Swish Dental, you're not just getting a cosmetic enhancement; you're investing in a new, vibrant way of expressing yourself.

Crowns: Strength and Beauty Combined

For those needing more than just a surface enhancement, crowns provide the perfect blend of strength and aesthetics. They cover and protect damaged or weakened teeth, restoring not only their function but also their appearance. At Swish, our crowns are designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of your teeth, offering durability and a beautiful finish that uplifts your entire smile.

A New Smile, A New You

At Swish Dental, we believe in the transformative power of a great smile. It's not just about looking good – it's about feeling good. With our state-of-the-art technology and compassionate care, we make the journey to your new smile as comfortable and rewarding as possible. Whether it's veneers or crowns, we tailor our treatments to match your dreams and aspirations, ensuring a beautiful smile and restoring the function of your teeth.

Begin Your Smile Transformation Today

Why wait to have the smile you've always wanted? Visit us at Swish Dental and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident you. Our team is ready to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you walk out with a smile that not only looks great but also feels great. Let's make your dream smile a reality.

Ready to get started? Book a restorative consultation today!

What Is the Difference Between Veneers and Crowns?

Crowns and veneers are dental restoration treatments used to improve the appearance and durability of teeth. Crowns are often used to restore damaged teeth, while veneers are primarily used for cosmetic purposes. 

Both crowns and veneers are placed on the front surface of the tooth and cover the entire tooth surface, except the gum line. They can be made from different materials, such as porcelain or composite veneers, and are attached to the tooth using special cement. 

Crowns and veneers, as restoration procedures, can improve the look and function of your teeth. They require the use of a local anesthetic during placement and can help enhance the function and appearance of your teeth.

What is a Crown?

A dental crown is designed to fully encase the tooth, necessitating more extensive shaping of the tooth before placement. Crowns are often the go-to solution for teeth significantly weakened by tooth decay, cracks, or fractures. 

In cases where tooth decay is present, your dentist will remove the decayed area and may rebuild parts of the tooth to ensure it can adequately support the crown. Crowns are crafted from porcelain and tailored to snugly fit over your tooth and securely cemented in place.

What is a Veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front surface of a tooth, improving its appearance. It is a cosmetic option for discolored, chipped, or misaligned teeth. 

Veneers are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of existing teeth, and they require minimal tooth structure removal compared to crowns. Made of stain-resistant porcelain or composite resin, veneers closely resemble natural tooth enamel.

How to Choose Between a Veneer and a Crown

Veneers and crowns serve different purposes in dental care, with differences in aesthetics, functionality, durability, and materials. Veneers, ideal for cosmetic improvements, are thin porcelain layers bonded to the tooth's front, requiring minimal alteration. 

Crowns, offering more comprehensive coverage and support, envelop the entire tooth and are made from porcelain, metal alloys, or a combination, suiting various dental needs. While veneers are more aesthetically subtle, crowns provide enhanced durability and are better suited for extensively damaged teeth.

Aesthetics and Functionality

The goal of veneers and crowns is to improve the aesthetics and functionality of a smile. They are used for severely damaged teeth, improving their function. Veneers are mostly used for cosmetic purposes to correct teeth that are stained, chipped, or misaligned.

Both offer results that look natural and are made to match existing teeth. The choice between both depends on specific dental issues and desired outcomes. If you have a heavily damaged tooth, your dentist may suggest a crown to stop the damage in its tracks.

Durability and Longevity

Both options are strong and can last a long time. Crowns are known for their toughness, especially when it comes to heavy biting and chewing. Veneers, while thinner, are still quite strong and can last for years if you take good care of them. Regular dental checkups are important to keep them in good shape.

Crowns generally last longer than veneers due to the amount of tooth structure prepared and the materials used. While veneers typically last 20 years, crowns can last up to 25 years with proper care. All in all, the durability of both restorations depends on a number of individual factors and regular checkups.

Maintenance and Care

Taking care of crowns and veneers is a lot like caring for your regular teeth. Brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly will keep them looking great. Try to avoid habits like biting nails or chewing on hard objects, as they can damage your dental work. Although porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, it is important to avoid excessive consumption of staining substances, such as coffee and tobacco, in order to maintain their appearance. Proper care and regular dental checkups are key to the longevity of both crowns and veneers, as the dentist can assess their condition and address any issues promptly. Additionally, it is important to floss your teeth every day to remove any food particles in between the teeth.

Veneer vs Crown: Which Option is Right for You?

Both options offer unique benefits, tailored to different dental needs. Dental crowns are ideal for restoring teeth with significant damage, root canal treatments, or large fillings, enhancing both function and appearance.

Veneers, on the other hand, are perfect for cosmetic improvements, correcting minor imperfections like discoloration or slight misalignments.

To make an informed decision, consult with a dentist to discuss your specific dental concerns and cosmetic aspirations, ensuring the best fit for your smile.

When to Opt for a Crown

Crowns are an ideal option when:

  • Your tooth is significantly damaged or decayed.
  • You've had a root canal and need extra protection.
  • There's a large filling, and the tooth needs more support.
  • Your tooth is weak and at risk of further damage.
  • You want to improve the look of a severely discolored or misshapen tooth.

When Veneers Are the Answer

Choose veneers for:

  • Minor cosmetic changes like fixing small chips, gaps, or stains.
  • Long-term solutions for teeth that can't be whitened.
  • Creating a more symmetrical and aligned smile without braces.
  • Minor tooth repairs with minimal changes to your natural teeth.
  • A durable solution with a lifespan of 20+ years, enhancing your smile and confidence.

Crowns vs Veneers vs Bonding

Bonding is another dental procedure for fixing chips, cracks, or gaps. It's a quicker and often less expensive choice, but it might not last as long as crowns or veneers. Bonding material isn't as strong or stain-resistant, so it's something to consider when making your decision.

Understanding the Procedures: Crowns vs Veneers

Both crowns and veneers involve unique procedures, tailored to meet different needs. Let’s break it down in an easy-to-understand way:

The Crown Procedure: A Step-by-Step Journey

  1. Preparation: Your dentist gets the tooth ready by shaping it. This is like preparing a canvas for painting.
  2. Impressions: They take a mold of your tooth so the crown will fit perfectly.
  3. Temporary Crown: While your permanent crown is being made, you'll get a temporary one.
  4. Final Placement: When your crown is ready, the dentist puts it on your tooth and makes sure it fits just right.

The Veneer Procedure: A Simple Transformation

  1. Tooth Prep: Your dentist slightly reshapes the front of your tooth – just a little, to make room for the veneer.
  2. Impressions: They take a mold of your tooth to create a veneer that's a perfect match.
  3. Temporary Veneers: While your permanent veneers are being made, you'll get a temporary set.
  4. Bonding: Once your veneer is ready, the dentist attaches it to your tooth, ensuring it looks natural and fits seamlessly.

Veneers vs Crowns: What Are They Made Of?

Crowns and veneers are both made of materials designed to mimic your natural teeth. The most popular choice is porcelain, known for its strength and natural look. Porcelain resists stains well, so it stays closer to its original color over time.

When deciding between crowns and veneers, it's essential to discuss with your dentist which material is best for your needs and budget.

Porcelain is a favorite for both crowns and veneers because it looks so much like real teeth. Crowns cover and protect teeth that are damaged, while veneers mainly enhance the look of your teeth, fixing issues like discoloration or small misalignments. Crowns involve more work on your tooth than veneers, which need only minimal changes. Whichever you choose, both can give you a beautiful, natural-looking smile with the right care.

What is the Cost of Crowns vs Veneers?

The cost of crowns and veneers can vary based on your specific dental needs, and how many teeth you are covering or repairing. Long-term costs like maintenance and potential future treatments are also a factor to consider in the total price of crowns and veneers.

Learn more about financing for veneers and crowns.

Your Dental Care with Swish in Austin, TX

At Swish, we're committed to providing the best dental care services in a stress-free and judgment-free environment. With locations throughout the Austin, TX metroplex, our practice is at the forefront of dental restoration and cosmetic dentistry, boasting the latest in dental technology. We pride ourselves on our comfort-centric approach, ensuring every visit is as relaxing as it is effective.

We know that comfort means different things to different people, which is why we offer a range of sedation options along with home-like amenities such as Netflix during your procedure. We believe that quality dental care should be accessible, so we provide convenient and flexible financing options, ensuring that your path to a perfect smile is as smooth as possible.

Choose Swish for a dental care experience that is as pleasant and stress-free as it is advanced and professional. Schedule your consultation with us today and step into an experience where world-class dental care meets unparalleled comfort.

Still have questions? Contact us today!

Clinical Content Reviewed By:
Dr. Brendan Loehr DMD
Last Modified:
February 12, 2024