Getting Rid of Gum Disease

If you have some cracks and chips in your teeth, then your dental professional may suggest some treatments to encourage an aesthetic appearance, and certain tooth coverings may be an option. Both crowns and veneers cover the teeth, but which one is better? Keep reading to learn about a few major concerns and how the coverings fit in with your desires.

Cost

If you are concerned about cost, then you should know that dental veneers and crowns will cost you a significant amount of money. Both are constructed from porcelain, which is a costly material, and the porcelain is formed to specifically fit your teeth. This means that a detailed and precise process is required. 

Dental crowns can cost several hundred to over a thousand dollars, and veneers will often cost at least five hundred dollars or more per tooth. Since these costs are similar, it may come down to whether or not your dental insurance covers a tooth crown. Veneers are purely aesthetical devices, so they are not covered by dental insurance. If there is a medical need for the crown, like if an infection is present or if tooth damage is substantial, then insurance is likely to cover it. 

Keep in mind that if you are looking at a dental crown, then you may need a root canal beforehand. This depends on dental damage, the dentist, and any pain symptoms that you develop. This will add quite a bit to the cost of a crown, so if you do not have insurance, then this might be something to think about. 

Tooth Protection

While veneers are not secured to actually protect the teeth. However, they do protect them to some degree. After all, they cover the dental enamel. This keeps the tooth from being directly exposed to acids, sugars, and bacteria activity that can cause cavities and other dental issues. Veneers only cover the front area and a portion of the side of a tooth though. This means that protection is limited. 

A dental crown protects the entire tooth since it forms a cap that covers the entire upper biting surface. This cap does protect the whole tooth, so cavities are very unlikely. So, if you are looking for tooth protection as well as aesthetics, then crowns are a good choice. 

The most protection can be provided from porcelain and metal crowns. Sometimes a bit of the metal shows through, so make sure to speak with your dental professional about appearance before making this choice.

If you want to know more about veneers or tooth crowns, speak with a cosmetic dental professional, such as Carolina Forest Family Dentistry.