A porcelain veneer adheres only to the front surface of the tooth, while a dental crown covers the entire tooth. This tends to make veneers more aesthetically pleasing than crowns because they show less gum margin. Crowns are thicker than two-millimeter veneers compared to one millimeter and are more permanent. Each procedure has different purposes and each one changes the appearance of existing teeth.
Structurally, veneers cover the surface of the front tooth and leave the rest of the original tooth intact. A crown procedure can also change the way your teeth look. The main difference is that crowns are used when there is significant damage (such as wear and tear) or when restorations, such as a large filling, are not appropriate. The main difference between veneers and dental crowns is the way they fit.
The veneers are placed over the front of the teeth, while the crowns are placed over the entire tooth. It can be easy to confuse crowns and veneers, since both are restorative techniques used to correct problems with the teeth. Veneers cover the front of the tooth, while crowns protect the entire tooth, according to The Journal of The American Dental Association. The main difference is the problems they solve.
Holli Careswell is a board-certified general and cosmetic dentist and has a private practice in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
