Crowns vs. Veneers: Comparison of Costs & Benefits.

Crowns and veneers typically apply to different underlying dental needs, so your dentist may suggest one versus the other due to issues with your teeth. Generally, crowns are considered necessary since they are used to cover or replace a damaged or missing tooth. Veneers are usually a cosmetic choice.

Since crowns provide a more complete solution, they are usually a bit more expensive than veneers. But crowns may be more likely to be partially covered by dental insurance.

Caps vs. Crowns vs. Veneers

If you’re wondering what the difference is between caps and crowns, you’re not alone. Both terms are commonly used by the general public, especially in older populations.

There is no difference between caps and crowns. They are two terms used for the same thing — a prosthetic that is placed on top of a tooth.

Today, the term crown is much more widely used. When dental professionals speak about these tooth coverings, they use the term crown.

So, there is really not a “caps vs. crowns vs. veneers” debate. There is only a crowns vs. veneers question.

Crowns vs. Veneers: How Do They Compare?

This chart can help you understand how these two options work: 

Difference between Crowns & Veneers

Crowns and veneers serve different purposes, although both can be used to treat cosmetic issues caused by underlying tooth damage and decay.

They also have different costs, which are based on materials and related issues. They may be partially covered by dental insurance, or you may have to pay entirely out of pocket. Coverage often comes down to why you need the crowns or veneers.

Many people want to improve their smiles, so they investigate crowns or veneers as cosmetic treatment options, but both dental treatments serve different purposes and have different costs.

Pros & Cons of Crowns

A crown can be used to cover a tooth that has been damaged or had extensive tooth decay. It can also be used after a root canal procedure.

Crowns have many advantages. They can do the following:

• Provide support and protection for a damaged tooth

• Bond teeth that have been broken or cracked

• Keep a tooth from being further worn down or damaged

• Provide adequate cover for a dental implant

• Be a long-term solution, lasting between 5 and 15 years

• Improve tooth appearance by correcting color and/or shape

These are potential downsides of crowns:

• Expense: Crowns are more expensive than veneers.

• Allergic reaction: It is possible to experience an allergic reaction to the materials used in the crown, either the metal or the porcelain.

• Potential for breakage: Crowns can crack, break, or fail. As a result, they can end up trapping bacteria underneath them. This can lead to tooth decay in the event that the crown becomes loose and the dental cement washes away.

• Invasive procedure: The tooth will have to be filed down and reshaped to fit a crown, so it is a permanent decision. Crowns take multiple appointments to place, as the tooth must first be prepared, and an impression is taken before the crown is made in a lab.

Most of the potential issues with crowns are related to the type of material used and the fit of the crown, which can be addressed with sufficient dental experience and treatment.

Pros & Cons of Veneers

Veneers can be a good option for minor repairs and imperfections of the teeth. Among their many advantages, veneers can do the following:

• Be a durable, versatile, and long-term solution

• Offer a more affordable and less invasive option for dental restorations

• Be easier to place since they usually take two or more dental appointments to place

• Be fully customized to fit your teeth specifically, including to match the exact color of your teeth

• Improve the appearance of teeth and lead to a straighter and whiter smile

Overall, veneers offer a quicker and less extreme solution for minor teeth straightening and shaping than braces and other orthodontic treatment methods.

Some potential disadvantages of veneers include the following:

• Durability: Veneers’ durability depends on the material used. More durable materials, such as porcelain, will cost more than composite, but composite veneers have more potential to chip, crack, or stain. Even the more durable materials are still vulnerable to cracks and chips.

• Enamel removal: Veneers require removing some of the enamel on the tooth to place the veneer, which can result in tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

• Limited restoration abilities: Unlike crowns, veneers are not designed to restore teeth beyond cosmetic and minor imperfections. More significant protection, support, and restoration will require a crown or other more significant dental restoration.

• Shorter term: Veneers will typically not last as long as crowns or other dental restoration methods, with the more durable options being more expensive.

• Limited insurance coverage: Often, veneers will not be covered by dental or medical insurance as they are not considered medically necessary. Instead, they are classified as a cosmetic dentistry procedure.

The Cost of Crowns vs. Veneers

Since veneers and crowns apply to different dental needs, they have different costs. They may be covered by dental insurance, but if you get them for cosmetic reasons, you likely need to fully pay out of pocket. 

It is important to understand the costs upfront so you can decide which option might work better for you.

Cost Overview: Crowns vs. Veneers

Materials used in crowns vs. veneers

We’ve mentioned that crowns and veneers can be crafted from a variety of different materials. How can you choose the one that’s right for you? While your dentist can help to guide your choice, it’s smart to enter this discussion with a little homework already done. Here’s what you need to know.

Crowns are typically made of one of the following materials:

• Porcelain: Porcelain is very natural looking, so it’s ideal for front teeth. However, it can be fragile and prone to chips and cracks.

• Ceramic: Ceramic also looks very natural, and it is more durable than porcelain. However, it can also chip and it can crack neighboring teeth.

• Gold: Gold is very visible, but it’s also durable. If you need a crown on a hard-working back tooth, it could be an excellent choice.

Veneers are typically made of one of the two following materials:

• Porcelain: Porcelain veneers look very natural, and they can resist stains from coffee and tea. They can also be more expensive than their counterparts.

• Resin: Resin veneers can pick up stains from food and drinks, but they’re much less expensive than porcelain versions. They may also chip more often than porcelain versions.

Cosmetic Corrections

Crowns are more likely to be applied to medically necessary dental treatments, whereas veneers are more often used to improve the appearance of your smile by making your teeth more uniform.

While veneers can correct some minor alignment issues, such as closing gaps between teeth, it’s generally preferable to straighten your smile via other means. Getting veneers involves grinding down your natural teeth, and it’s better to keep as much of your natural teeth as possible.

What about insurance coverage?

When comparing the cost of crowns vs. veneers, it’s critical to examine the role of dental insurance. While every policy is different, most handle claims in a similar manner.

Most dental plans provide at least partial coverage for crowns. Insurance companies consider this type of care necessary to preserve your health and your smile, so they’ll cover the crown’s manufacture, its placement, and your dentist’s time to guide your care. However, your dental plan may cap how much it will pay, so this form of treatment will likely cost you at least a little money.

Most dental plans will not cover veneers. Insurance companies consider this type of care cosmetic. In their view, you’re using veneers to make your smile look better, instead of using the devices to fix a defect or preserve the tooth. It’s rare for dental companies to provide any kind of reimbursement for care they consider purely cosmetic.

If your dentist wants to use veneers to address a defect in your teeth, discuss this plan with your insurance company first. Ask what sort of paperwork the company might need to authorize payment for this unusual option. You can also choose to use crowns instead. It‘s an easier method.

How to care for crowns & veneers

Crowns and veneers are designed to last for years. However, you must take care of your devices very carefully to ensure that they last as long as possible.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says that you can care for your crown in the same way that you care for your normal teeth. Brush regularly and floss around the tooth carefully. If your crown is made of porcelain, avoid chewing on very hard things (like ice or candy) to ensure it doesn’t chip.

Veneers can be slightly more fragile than crowns. The American Dental Association says you should care for veneers by brushing them twice per day and flossing regularly. Avoid chips by not biting your fingernails or chewing on hard candy or ice. Limiting your intake of coffee, red wine, or tea could keep the veneers from too many stains.

Aligners Make It Easy

While braces can straighten teeth well, many people want alternatives because they do not want the embarrassment of metal pieces on their teeth or the expense and time involved in regularly visiting an orthodontist for appointments. As clear aligner treatments have become more popular and easier to access, more people choose this approach to getting a healthy, straight smile. 

Most orthodontists and some dentists offer aligner treatment, where patients regularly visit them to pick up new aligner sets. This type of aligner treatment tends to be the most expensive since it still involves regular visits in a dental office. Doctor-monitored, at-home teeth aligners are another option that don’t require any in-person visits.

To start, you make impressions of your teeth at home, which are sent to the aligner company for evaluation. If you are a good candidate for at-home aligners, you’ll have a treatment plan designed for you. A series of clear aligners will then be mailed to you, along with an outlined treatment schedule. 

Aligner treatment can fix gaps, crowding, or crooked teeth. It works best for mild to moderate cases. If you have a severe case of dental misalignment, you may need braces. The aligner company will let you know if you aren’t a good candidate for their product. 

Veneers only cover very minor misalignment issues. If you are seeking to straighten your teeth, at-home aligners are likely to be a much cheaper and easier option.

Consult your Dentist

If your dentist has recommended crowns, it’s likely you have an underlying dental issue that necessitates them. Crowns are usually used on teeth in the back of the mouth that have been damaged or removed. Veneers are more common on the front teeth to cover cosmetic issues.

Before getting either crowns or veneers, confirm the specific price with your dentist. They can consult your dental insurance provider to see what kind of coverage, if any, they offer for the procedure.