Porcelain Veneers Versus Crowns: What’s What?

You may think you’ve got the world of dental care all sorted out and neatly categorized in your brain. That is, until you start thinking about porcelain veneers versus porcelain crowns and you realize you cannot quite fully distinguish one from the other. Then again, you start to realize there may be some overlap between what the two treatments can do for you. How to tell what’s what, you wonder? While it may seem a little daunting at first glance, our Conroe, TX team can happily report that you’ll be quite clear on the differences, similarities, and more in a jiffy.

How Much Tissue Does Each Cover?

One of the main differences, and frequent areas of confusion, between porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns is the topic of how much tissue they cover. This is an easy one and can most certainly help you become more familiar with the particulars. Keep this in mind:

  • Veneers cover only the visible portion of your teeth, which means they create a facade, which subsequently creates the illusion of a customized, improved smile
  • Crowns cover the entirety of the tooth they treat, which means they provide not only an improvement visually but that they restore structural integrity and offer comprehensive protection

Which One Is Strictly Cosmetic?

You may already have a strong feeling about this one, now that you better understand the physical structure of porcelain veneers versus porcelain crowns. If you guessed that veneers are strictly for cosmetic purposes, then you are correct! Veneers do not offer any restorative improvements to your oral health but do help your smile look much better. As for crowns, their primary purpose is to help restore your smile after tooth damage. However, due to their esthetic value, they also provide cosmetic improvement (and, when serious needs arise, may be used specifically for this purpose!).

How Do I Know What I Need?

This is where your friendly dental team comes in! You may not know what you need because you are not a dentist! However, when you visit our team for a dental checkup, we can tell you what’s going on with your smile and whether porcelain veneers or a porcelain crown (or something else!) will provide you with the appropriate solution.

Improve Your Smile With Our Dental Care

Feel confident about your smile again by coming in to learn more about how we may help you with any and all oral health and esthetic concerns. Just give our team a call to schedule a consultation! Come in for a visit in Conroe, TX by scheduling a visit with the Dental Centre of Conroe by calling (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and the neighboring communities.