Coral Gables Cosmetic Dentist: Differences Between Veneers and Crowns

Veneers and crowns are similar in many ways. They both cover the teeth, improving their appearance while providing additional protection. But that’s where the similarities end and our dentist in Coral Gables will be happy to explain the differences. At Vida Dental Coral Gables, we have vast experience with these procedures. Here’s a look at these cosmetic and restorative treatments:

What are Veneers?
Veneers are thin slivers of porcelain that are placed on the front of a patient’s teeth. They disguise issues like discoloration, small chips or cracks, uneven appearance, and irregular sizes. We use a special bonding agent to secure the veneers in place, ensuring they don’t budge for 5-15 years.

What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown is a cap placed on and around the natural tooth. Crowns cover the entire tooth, providing structural stability along with some protection. They are used in procedures like a root canal, dental implants, or to treat big cracks.

Differences Between Them
While both are restorative procedures, they serve different purposes. An experienced dentist will only recommend dental crowns in Coral Gables if your tooth requires considerable support. Here’s a look at some of the most significant differences between them:

• Size – Veneers are very thin, reaching a maximum thickness of 0.5 mm. You can compare them to contact lenses or thin fingernails. Crowns can be anywhere between 0.5 mm and 2 mm thick with a surface area of around1.5 mm. It depends on how damaged a patient’s tooth is and what kind of material the dentist has used.
• Natural Enamel Loss – Your dentist will remove some tooth material before adding veneers or crowns. Veneers are thinner and only cover one surface, which means we only need to remove around 0.5 mm of enamel to make room for them. Crowns are thicker, so they require more space. We often have to clear all damaged dental material before creating crowns that fit. Patients face around 60% and 75% of enamel loss during this procedure.
• Permanency – Both procedures are permanent because we remove natural tooth enamel to make room for them. Patients must replace them every 10 or so years, especially if a veneer or crown is loose. Veneers have a limited lifespan, but some crowns are more resilient.
• Materials – Veneers are almost always made from porcelain or ceramic material. You have more options in crowns and can choose between gold, amalgam, ceramic, or composite materials too. Gold crowns last longer than any other material, which is why they have been popular in the past.

Whether you want to get dental crowns or veneers in Coral Gables, speak with a qualified dentist first. Dr. Cutino always explains procedures in detail before helping patients make informed decisions.

If you want to know more about cosmetic dentistry in Coral Gables or require a reliable dentist, reach out to us at Vida Dental Coral Gables. Dr. Javier Cutino and his staff will be happy to help.