Today we are exploring the difference between Veneers and Crowns. Restoring the natural aesthetics of the elements of dentition is an important procedure that affects not only the physical but also the psychological state of the patient. A beautiful smile is considered a sign of wealth and success, as well as a fairly attentive attitude to health and appearance. In addition, this is a factor that determines the degree of confidence in one’s own attractiveness – the presence of defects that are noticeable to others usually makes one feel embarrassed and awkward during communication, especially when it comes to adolescence. Prevention and relief of such problems are devoted to such a section of dentistry as orthopedics, which offers two methods at once as a solution. How do veneers differ from crowns, how are they installed, and what is the price for such services? Let’s figure it out.
General view
Both of these products belong to the category of orthopedic micro-prostheses (in accordance with the accepted classification), designed to restore the natural state of damaged teeth. The difference between them is determined by the technical characteristics, the manufacturing technique, the materials used, as well as the range of tasks to be solved.
From a technical point of view, a veneer is a thin overlay that simulates the vestibular surface of a damaged unit and masks the resulting defects. The plate, fixed on the enamel with an adhesive composition, completely repeats the contour of the problem tooth, has a shade similar to adjacent elements and is primarily intended to create an aesthetic external picture. As a rule, the restoration is carried out in a complex, that is, in pairs, in order to exclude differences in the shape and structure of adjacent incisors. The installation area is the frontal part that forms the smile zone.
If veneers are aesthetics, then dental crowns are primarily functionality. Such orthopedic products partially or completely reproduce the anatomical structure of the damaged outer part, restore occlusal closure and normal chewing process, and also prevent further destruction, which may be caused by mechanical stress. The advantage is in strength and reliability since modern technologies allow you to combine different materials to achieve the desired technical characteristics. This is what determines the demand for prosthetics for chewing teeth, the location of which by default implies a higher degree of pressure that occurs during eating.
Both types of prostheses are made in the laboratory, based on the results obtained during the preliminary clinical diagnosis. The only exception is composite overlays, which are formed using the direct method. The protocol involves applying a pre-prepared mass to the surface of the prepared tooth, after which the doctor proceeds to the restoration.
As for the choice of manufacturing materials, here the difference between veneers and crowns is reduced to less variability. To create aesthetic and thin plates, it is important that the base has a sufficient degree of strength and transparency, while in the case of structures that cover the tooth partially or completely, even a combination of a metal base and a ceramic coating is allowed. One option is to use zirconia, which is popular in dentistry for its visual characteristics. However, practice shows that it is not very effective for veneering, primarily because of the need for deep preparation of the enamel, as well as an unnatural appearance after installation.
Are veneers placed on crowns?
Theoretically interesting collaboration, which, however, has no practical expediency. In orthopedics, such prosthetics are not carried out, since each of these prostheses has sufficient functionality and aesthetics. Simply put, it doesn’t make any sense. In case of damage to previously installed products that replace or cover the base of the tooth, a local restoration or complete replacement is performed. In this case, it should be borne in mind that, as in the case of the treatment of pathologies, the main task is to eliminate the root cause of the problem that has arisen.
Speaking about which is better – veneers or crowns, and what is the difference between them, it is worth noting that the second option is less difficult to restore, and in some situations allows the use of conventional materials used in standard fillings. Cracks and damage to thin plates practically exclude the repair of a micro prosthesis – the linings are simply removed and replaced with new ones. An exception is composite products subject to restoration, the manufacturing technique of which makes it possible to mask the resulting defects.
When is it better to install veneers?
The main recommendation for veneering is the formation of small defects on the frontal units of the dentition. The minimum thickness of the plates eliminates the need for deep preparation of the enamel coating so that the tooth retains its natural anatomical shape. At the same time, if the patient has previously undergone a prosthetics procedure using artificial crowns, then it will no longer be possible to restore the same element using ceramic onlays due to insufficient base area.
Focused primarily on the restoration of aesthetics, the technique is well suited for masking stains on enamel, tremas and diastemas, local curvatures, and other visually noticeable developmental anomalies. At the same time, installation on molars is also possible and is practiced in cases where one of the goals of prosthetics is to obtain the effect of lifting the lower third of the facial contour.
When is the best time to place crowns?
The key factor is the degree of tooth decay. The functional characteristics of such prostheses provide more reliable protection, so the diagnosis of extensive chips and damage is considered the basis for choosing this restoration method. Similar recommendations are made under the following conditions:
- Previous pulp extraction. Removal of the inner chamber, which contains the nerve endings and vessels that feed the enamel, over time leads to a darkening of the unit, which becomes noticeable when translucent veneers are installed.
- Passion for specific activities. For professionals and amateurs who prefer contact sports, martial arts, as well as extreme entertainment associated with physical exertion, it is better to choose prostheses that are more durable and resistant to external influences.
- Diagnosed bruxism. A pathological condition characterized by uncontrolled jaw spasms creates excessive pressure on the elements of the dentition, several times higher than that recorded during a normal meal. In such cases, no type of orthopedic product can guarantee the long-term preservation of the restoration effect, so the best solution would be to undergo a therapeutic course and treat TMJ pathologies.
In addition, an indication for use is the occurrence of problems with chewing units – molars. Their restoration is associated with fewer requirements for aesthetic characteristics, which allows the use of less expensive materials that can provide a sufficient level of strength.
What is better to choose for the front teeth – veneers or crown
An abstract comparison of the two methods seems not entirely correct since in each case everything depends on the specific indications of the clinical picture. Both methods of orthopedic restoration are characterized by certain advantages, as well as recommendations for use, which can be presented in the form of a visual table:
Veneering
- The formation of chips and cracks, the spread of caries with the preservation of the base of at least 60% of the total area
- The presence of interdental gaps and other small visual defects
- The manifestation of the consequences of fluorosis and dysplasia, as well as the influence of other
Prosthetics
- factors that worsen the shade of tooth enamel Significant destruction of the tooth structure, with the preservation of less than 40% of the original dimensions
- Limitations to the use of standard therapeutic methods
- The need to protect the base from the effects of mechanical loads
In fact, the set of indications for each of the procedures is different, however, in some situations, patients have the opportunity to choose a more preferable option – it all depends on the severity and localization of the pathological condition.
Cost difference
Practice shows that in most cases patients are interested not only in what is different and what is better – ceramic, zirconium veneers (from zirconium), or metal-ceramic crowns – but also in what is more expensive. This is a perfectly reasonable question, the answer to which depends on many factors. The final price tag is determined depending on the selected material, manufacturing technology, the number of products, and the qualifications of the doctor who will carry out prosthetics. In general, veneering is considered a more expensive procedure, primarily because it is not recommended to install aesthetic overlays “one by one”. Restoration in this way provides for at least pairwise replacement, eliminating the difference in the shape, structure, and shade of adjacent elements.
Prices for crowns
A variety of options allows you to determine the appropriate one, taking into account the indications of the clinical picture, as well as the wishes of the patient himself. So, by contacting the specialists of Dentika dental centers, you can choose:
- Orthopedic prosthetics using ceramic models made using E-Max digital technology – from 29,500 rubles.
- High-strength products made of zirconium dioxide, developed using the CAD / CAM software methodology – from 31,000 rubles.
- Installation of metal-ceramic crowns that guarantee reliable operation for many years – from 15,000 rubles.
The basis for the final decision is the results of preliminary diagnostics, characterizing the condition of problematic teeth.
Prices for vining
Veneering costs are usually higher, but they are fully compensated by aesthetic indicators. Computer modeling, precise pre-visualization, and gentle enamel processing to keep the base virtually intact ensure a medically optimal result. The cost of manufacturing and installing ceramic veneers in Dentika clinics is 34,500 rubles.
Features of the procedure
Regardless of the chosen protocol, at the first stage, a prerequisite is the sanitation of the oral cavity, during which the identified pathological manifestations and inflammatory processes are stopped. Only after that, the doctor can proceed to the main stage of prosthetics.
In order for the fixation of aesthetic overlays to look as natural as possible, tooth enamel must be prepared. The depth of grinding performed under local anesthesia does not exceed 0.7 mm. Casts taken from the prepared base are transferred to the laboratory, where a set of plates is made. Fixation on the vestibular surface is made after a preliminary fitting – for this, an adhesive composition is used, which guarantees strength and resistance to stress.
What is Dental Pulpitis, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
The algorithm for creating crowns provides for a similar sequence of actions. As part of the preparation, the doctor forms a stump of the tooth, removing destroyed and necrosis-prone tissues. In case of insufficiently reliable root fixation, as well as severe damage, it is allowed to use of artificial pins integrated into the preserved canals. In most cases, it is mandatory to remove the nerve, excluding re-inflammation and the development of complex pathologies.
It is worth noting that modern modeling and visualization technologies make it possible to demonstrate to the patient in advance what the final result will be – photos of crowns and veneers created using digital processing applications usually increase motivation to comply with medical recommendations and allow you to make the final decision on restoration.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each of the options considered has its pros and cons, discussed in advance. So, among the positive aspects characteristic of veneering, include:
- Aesthetic results of prosthetics.
- Dye resistant.
- Strength and durability.
- Minimal chance of allergies.
Of the negative – the need for a complete replacement in case of damage, the mandatory preparation of enamel, as well as the cost of manufacturing and installation.
In the case of orthopedic crowns, the following are noted as advantages:
- Functional restoration of the dentition.
- Normalization of bite and occlusion.
- Reliability protection against damage.
- Possibility of restoration of molars.
The disadvantages are reduced to a deeper pre-treatment of the enamel coating, the probable removal of the pulp, as well as the risks of developing inflammatory processes that occur when there is not enough tight fit to the neck.
Contraindications for installation
Before making a final decision, a comprehensive diagnosis is prescribed, during which possible medical limitations are identified. It may also be that metal-free veneers will have to be placed instead of zirconium crowns since prolonged contact of mucous tissues with the material of manufacture – against the background of the individual characteristics of the body – can provoke the development of an allergic reaction. If the results of a clinical examination indicate the presence of temporary and relative contraindications, additional treatment will be required to eliminate negative factors
Summing up
Correction of aesthetic defects and restoration of the functionality of dentition are tasks that can be successfully solved with the help of modern dental techniques. Sign up for a preliminary consultation at the Dentika clinic in order to undergo an initial diagnosis and determine the need for treatment or prosthetics. Experienced doctors will tell you how veneers differ from crowns, and what is better to choose to maintain an attractive and healthy smile.