Crowns vs dental veneers — what’s the difference? And implant crowns? Which treatment is the best option for your tooth reconstruction? That’s one of the first things your Cincinnati dentist will consider when choosing the best course of action for restoring a tooth. The decision comes down to how much tooth structure your dentist has to work with.

In general, both restorative and cosmetic dentists try to save a natural tooth’s structure as much as possible, as opposed to shaving it down and crowning it, or worse, having to extract it. However, trauma, decay, broken fillings, and cracks that extend to the nerve can sometimes derail the ideal plan.

Veneers, crowns, and implants are effective cosmetic solutions to enhance the appearance of your teeth, but their purposes vary. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about the look of your smile; it’s about restoring function. For instance, tooth veneers are appropriate in some cases, while crowns or even implant crowns are more suitable in others. Let’s look at each of these three methods in more detail:

What are Tooth Veneers?

A dental veneer only covers the front surface of the tooth. It’s best for repairing mild chips, discoloration, or misalignment in the front. Veneers can also help stabilize teeth affected by cracked tooth syndrome.

Veneers made of dental resin can cover more severe discoloration but are slightly more opaque than natural teeth. Porcelain veneers tend to look more natural, but they’re more prone to chipping and are a bit more translucent than natural teeth.

Both resin and porcelain require periodic replacement. Still, your tooth doesn’t have to be permanently altered significantly, such as with a crown, or be removed entirely, like with implant crowns. Remember that veneers do not whiten or stain the way your natural teeth do, so you can’t have teeth whitening done with tooth veneers or bonding.

What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown covers the whole surface area of the tooth. This method is used when a significant portion of the tooth is broken and can’t be repaired with a veneer. Most dental crowns are about 2mm thick and are ideal for rebuilding the strength of decayed or broken teeth. The beauty of dental and implant crowns is that they’re very durable.

Compared to veneers, crowns are ideal if you grind your teeth or your teeth are highly worn. A dental crown can be used to look like a healthy tooth in a beautiful smile, especially if there’s not enough tooth structure to support a veneer.

What are Implant Crowns?

The biomechanical upgrade to dental crowns is an implant crown, an entire prosthetic tooth that caps a dental implant and completely replaces an extracted or lost tooth. While a crown can cap a partially remaining tooth, an implant crown entirely replaces the tooth and attaches to a three-part titanium implant that acts as the root. Once the porcelain or zirconia implant crown is installed, the tooth will look and function just like a natural one and last a long time.

When to Rule Out Dental Implant Crowns

When considering the pros and cons of implant crowns, tooth veneers, and dental crowns, your dental history or condition may rule out the implant crown as an option. Since part of this prosthetic screws into the bone of your jaw for a foundation, you need to have enough bone to drill in. More specifically, you need sufficient healthy bone to properly integrate the implant, ensuring that the implant’s crown remains stable and in place.

Another factor is if a tooth socket has been left empty for too long, which can cause the jaw to deteriorate or reabsorb. Some heavy smokers may also have problems with dental crowns. Their jawlines may be too weakened. Also, smoking blocks blood flow, making it more difficult for your mouth to heal. In general, you may not be able to recover properly from the crown implant procedure if you smoke.

Sometimes, your dentist may perform a bone graft to support the deteriorating jawbone. However, if there’s too much damage or too many broken and lost teeth to repair, you will need to explore alternative options, such as dentures or a tooth-supported dental bridge.

Benefits and Caveats of Veneers and Crowns

With veneers and crowns, you don’t have to take the jawbone into account, so virtually all patients can undergo these restorative and cosmetic dental procedures to repair broken teeth. But the viability of implants and implant crowns depends on the individual. Your local dentist, who specializes in veneers and crowns, can determine your suitability after reviewing your condition.

If your tooth damage is mild to moderate, you may just need veneers. Your dentist will recommend them if:

• Your teeth have become discolored.
• You need a chipped tooth repaired.
• A front tooth is slightly crooked, but not enough to warrant orthodontic treatment.
• You have teeth irregularities, such as gaps, that you want to disguise.

Dental veneers are surface-level treatments, something you can choose not to have if you end up disliking their appearance. Your teeth can be cleaned and polished, and with proper care, there is no permanent damage.

For more extensive damage, dental crowns are the right choice for:

• Severely broken or chipped teeth
• Severely discolored or irregular teeth
• Teeth with severe decay
• Damaged molars or chewing teeth

Since a crown covers the entire tooth, it makes more sense in cases where the tooth is moderately to severely compromised. A crown, versus veneers, is a permanent choice because the tooth must be shaved down to a nub to accommodate a crown. Unlike veneers, crowns completely protect and seal the entire tooth, protecting the pulp and nerve.

Factors to Consider When Comparing Veneers vs. Crowns vs. Implants

At its core, a tooth veneer is more of a cosmetic procedure. Tooth veneers are used to cover stains and minor cracks.

In contrast, crowns are used to fix damaged or broken teeth. Both repair a chipped tooth, but crowns are more comprehensive and serve a functional purpose, whereas veneers are primarily aesthetic. Since the crown covers the entire tooth, it provides more extensive coverage than veneers. Furthermore, crowns are often used to cap root canals, protecting the tooth from further decay.

Implant crowns are a whole different story, because we’re talking about replacing not just the appearance and function of your smile, but the integrity of your jaw and all your other teeth. Implant crowns have different benchmarks due to their level of restoration and the requirements they entail.

However, if you’re someone with missing teeth or teeth so severely compromised that they can’t be saved, implant crowns or implant-supported bridges are superior options to more cosmetic dental installations, such as dentures or tooth-supported dental bridges.

More than Just a Cosmetic Dentist: Comprehensive Dental Work for All Your Family’s Needs

At Beckham Square Family Dental, we offer cosmetic dentistry services in the Cincinnati area, but you can also see us for a complete range of dental services for your family. We are the all-in-one solution for your family’s dental care, including dental emergencies. Whether you need a dental cleaning, regular checkup, emergency dental care, professional teeth whitening, or a root canal, we’re happy to help. We also have the expertise to help you decide among veneers, crowns, crown implants, and other treatments to address your pressing dental issues.

Getting all your care under one roof has its advantages. Cosmetic and general dentistry often overlap, and the needs for them can change throughout life. We are experienced and skilled in dentistry for all ages, from pediatric to geriatric, and we understand the unique needs of each individual.

Most dentists don’t pay as much attention to tooth color or how a filling will look in your smile. With us, it’s always a primary consideration, after the health of your smile, of course! Just as important as being able to chew and speak easily is appearing healthy and friendly due to a perfect smile. Given all this, it’s easy to see how preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry are all interconnected.

Dr. Schmerler and Dr. Hynes are top dentists in Cincinnati, Blue Ash, and the surrounding areas. We focus on gentle dentistry. And yes, we’re accepting new patients! We’re great with kids and gentle with adults. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form. We can’t wait to meet you!