“Veneers vs crowns” sounds simple enough.
Which looks better? Which lasts longer? Which costs less?
But before we get to those questions there’s an important one to start with:
How much of your tooth actually needs to be restored?
Your tooth is made of many layers. The part you can see is called enamel.
A veneer usually just covers tooth enamel. A crown covers much more of the tooth.
When teeth need restoration, crowns are normally only considered when greater coverage is necessary.
That’s why veneers and crowns can have different reasons for being recommended.
The short answer to veneers vs crowns is:
Patient A comes in with healthy teeth wanting to improve tooth colour or shape. Patient B already has teeth with large fillings, fractures or loss of tooth structure.
Exactly the same cosmetic result can be achieved with different treatments for these patients because their teeth are in different conditions.
You also do not have to get veneers for every tooth or crowns for every tooth.
You can get veneers on some teeth and crowns on others.
Veneers VS Crowns: Quick Comparison
Veneers
Crowns
Main coverage
Mainly front surface of tooth
Covers most or all of the visible tooth
Main purpose
Usually cosmetic improvement
Often restorative, but can also improve appearance
Tooth preparation
Usually more conservative
Usually requires more tooth reduction
Best suited to
Teeth with enough healthy structure
Teeth needing greater coverage or restoration
Front teeth
Commonly used
Can also be used
Existing large fillings
May limit suitability
May be more appropriate in some cases
Materials
Porcelain, ceramic, composite resin
Porcelain crowns, zirconia, metal alloy, and other materials
Lifespan
Can last many years
Can last many years
Cost
Depends on material and case
Depends on material and case
Reversible?
Prepared veneers are generally not reversible
Crown preparation is irreversible
Summary
Having seen that table you will know the basic difference between veneers and crowns. However, the difficult part is deciding which column your tooth falls into.
What Is the Difference Between Veneers and Crowns?
The main difference between veneers and crowns is how much of your tooth they cover.
Veneers
Dental veneers, including porcelain veneers, are thin dental restorations usually bonded to the surface of visible teeth.
Veneers are most commonly considered when the goal is to make cosmetic improvements to things such as:
Tooth colour
Shape
Small gaps
Worn tooth edges
Minor chips
Tooth proportion
Minor cosmetic irregularities
Everything above the gums is only part of the restoration.
The tooth underneath is just as important.
That is why a dentist needs to evaluate the health of your enamel and remaining tooth when deciding if veneers are appropriate.
Crowns
Dental crowns cover more of the tooth. You may also hear someone refer to a crown as a dental cap.
Crowns can also make changes to the way a tooth appears. They are simply more likely to be considered where a tooth needs greater restoration or coverage.
For example: Substantial damage or where much of the original tooth has already been lost due to decay, fractures or old dental work.
Veneers vs Crowns: Tooth Preparation
Here’s one of the most important differences to understand before deciding on cosmetic dental work.
Both veneers and crowns often involve removing natural tooth structure. However they do not usually require the same amount of preparation.
Veneer preparation
Most veneer preparation is done on the front surface of your tooth. Some cases require very little tooth preparation at all.
Minimal-prep veneers and selected no-prep veneer cases are options for some patients.
Others require more preparation of their teeth. This can be due to position, colour, shape or the required thickness of the final porcelain veneer.
So the word “ veneer” does not tell you how much enamel will be removed from your tooth.
Crown preparation
Where a crown is prepared most of the tooth is altered.
That’s because the crown restoration covers more of the tooth. The extra preparation normally allows for greater restoration when needed.
This can be appropriate when a tooth needs extra strength or has already had a significant amount of its structure restored.
But if your tooth is healthy and your concern is mainly cosmetic then how much of your natural tooth will need to be removed to place a crown becomes a big decision factor.
Your dentist should not be thinking:
“How can we put crowns on these teeth?”
“How can we put veneers on every tooth?”
They should be thinking:
“What is the best restoration for this tooth while keeping as much healthy tooth structure as possible?”
When Might Veneers Be the Better Option?
Veneers are generally considered first in cosmetic dentistry when the teeth are healthy but have cosmetic issues.
Here are some examples:
Tooth Colour
Whitening can improve the shade of your teeth but some forms of discoloration may not be able to lighten enough.
Veneers can cover the natural tooth to change its visible colour.
Shape and Proportion
A tooth can sometimes look too small, narrow or even when compared to the others. The visual shape can be altered with a veneer.
Minor chips or worn edges
If you have chipped teeth or edges that have been worn down, small areas of damage on healthy front teeth can sometimes be treated using veneers.
Small gaps
Crowns, porcelain veneers or composite veneers can sometimes be used to close minor spacing issues between teeth.
Cosmetic smile makeovers
If you want to change the appearance of multiple visible teeth, several veneers can be used together for cosmetic purposes.
Notice the word cosmetic does not mean your dentist can ignore your bite, gums, enamel or existing restorations.
The suitability of your teeth for veneers is still important. Cavities, weak enamel or other issues can cause problems with bonding.
When Might a Crown Be More Appropriate?
In restorative dentistry, crowns can often be used to fix similar issues.
But they are generally recommended when more of the tooth needs restoration.
Things that might mean a crown is more appropriate include teeth with:
Significant loss of tooth structure
Large existing restorations
Major fractures or cracks
Extensive tooth decay
Severe tooth wear
Any structural problems that require coverage over more than just the front surface
Sometimes a tooth can require a crown after root canal treatment.
Not always. It depends on which tooth was treated, how much structure remains and what chewing forces will be placed on the tooth.
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It’s why saying “ veneers are cosmetic and crowns are functional” isn’t accurate.
Crowns can be just as cosmetic. Veneers can be used for functional improvements.
The difference comes in what treatment your tooth needs underneath that cosmetic improvement.
Veneers vs Crowns for Front Teeth
Cosmetic patients will often find this the most useful comparison.
Both veneers and crowns can be placed on front teeth.
But a healthy front tooth with good enamel that just has a cosmetic problem may be much better off with a veneer.
An existing large filling, extensive damage or lack of suitable tooth structure on a front tooth may mean a crown or alternative treatment, such as dental implants, is required.
This also applies to colour. The shade of your natural tooth, material chosen, restoration thickness, translucency and laboratory work can all affect the final look of a restoration.
A permanent crown does not automatically “look fake” and veneers do not automatically “look natural.”
A badly planned veneer can look terrible. Modern ceramic crowns planned correctly can look extremely natural.
The material isn’t everything. Technique and skill matter too.
Do Veneers Remove Less Tooth Than Crowns?
In most cases, yes. Because veneers are a more conservative restoration.
They cover less of the tooth. So generally a crown will require preparation on more surfaces of the tooth.
…but that statement is not completely true on its own.
It does not matter how healthy a tooth appears if you are comparing the additional preparation a veneer and crown will need.
They can both still require the dentist to remove enamel. This step is irreversible whether you get a crown or veneer.
Ask your dentist:
Exactly how much of this tooth will you need to remove and why?
Instead of asking if veneers are “no shave” or crowns are “aggressive.”
Are Turkey Teeth Veneers or Crowns?
This is where we see a lot of confusion online.
Turkey teeth is not a specific dental treatment anyone receives.
If you travel to Turkey for cosmetic dentistry your dentist may use:
Veneers
Crowns
Or any mixture of treatments.
Photos of people’s teeth online that have been ‘prepared’ heavily, often fitted with a temporary crown first, are referred to as “ veneers” when the actual restoration the dentists plans to use is most likely a crown.
This matters. Veneers and crowns are not the same thing.
Ask for a tooth by tooth treatment plan before accepting cosmetic dental treatment abroad.
They tell you they are going to place 20 restorations on your teeth. Ask how many are veneers and how many are crowns.
Ask which teeth they need to prepare and why each tooth requires that restoration.
Do your homework. Turkey teeth, Hollywood Smile, full set veneers are marketing phrases.
They do not tell you what will happen to your natural teeth during your appointment.
Can You Have Veneers and Crowns Together?
Yes you can.
This is an important point because some patients worry a smile makeover means they have to choose either veneers or crowns for every visible tooth.
It does not work like that.
Lets say one patient has eight visible teeth we want to treat.
Six of those teeth may have great natural tooth structure and just have cosmetic concerns.
Another tooth may already have a large filling. One tooth may have suffered damage in the past.
The treatment plan for that smile could include veneers on some teeth and crowns on others.
Just because you have two different restorations does not mean your teeth will look different from left to right.
Colour, shade, shape, proportion, ceramic choice and laboratory work can all be designed to work together.
The goal should never be to make every tooth have the exact same procedure.
The goal should be to provide appropriate treatment to each individual tooth. While giving you a balanced result when they are finished.
Veneers vs Crowns Cost
So which will cost more: veneers or crowns?
This isn’t a useful question to ask.
Prices and coverage by dental insurance can change based on:
Material
Amount of teeth
Laboratory
Dentist
Your existing dental condition
Amount of tooth preparation required
Additional treatment
The complexity of your individual case
Lets say you want to compare dental work in Turkey. A quote for 20 crowns is very different to a quote for 20 veneers.
But they are not the same treatment. Neither quote should automatically be judged by the final price.
Cheap doesn’t mean it’s a good deal if your dentist is recommending you get restorations your teeth do not need.
Expensive doesn’t automatically mean your treatment is better either.
Ask for your treatment plan before comparing prices.
Veneers vs Crowns: Which Lasts Longer?
Both can last you many years.
When they have been correctly chosen for your smile, properly fitted and well taken care of.
But longevity and durability don’t depend on whether you get veneers or crowns.
Here are just some of the things that affect how long any restoration will last:
Condition of the tooth underneath
Your bite
Whether you grind or clench your teeth
Your oral hygiene
Gum health
Material choice
Amount of tooth preparation
The way they are bonded or cemented to your teeth
Quality of the laboratory work
Trauma (avoiding unnecessary contact with teeth will help)
Ongoing dental care
General dental care is important whether you choose veneers or crowns.
Ask any dentist if veneers are better than crowns and they’ll probably tell you it depends on the case.
No dental treatment is completely maintenance free.
Ask your dentist why you should choose veneers or crowns and they’ll tell you it depends on what your teeth need.
Both could be the perfect solution for different reasons on the same tooth.
Don’t just accept the first answer you’re given. Look at the reasoning behind the treatment recommendation.
What Can Go Wrong With Veneers or Crowns?
When cared for both veneers and crowns can last a long time. However, like any restoration they’re not maintenance free.
Things that can go wrong with veneers:
Chip
Crack
Debond
Marginal breakdown
Need replacement
Things that can go wrong with crowns:
Chip or fracture
Come loose
Marginal breakdown
Need replacement
Teeth prepared for either restoration can still experience decay, fractures and other dental problems.
That’s why good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, and regular dental check-ups remain important for your oral health no matter how good your smile looks.
If you are a grinder or clench your teeth you should mention this before cosmetic dental work. You may need a night guard to protect your restorations.
Veneers or Crowns for a Full Smile Makeover?
Both. Or neither.
A full smile makeover is not a dental procedure, its a treatment plan.
Some patients may be better off with just veneers.
Other patients may benefit from a combination of veneers, crowns and maybe other treatments.
Another patient may not need either restoration on every single visible tooth.
Veiers or crowns? Ask yourself why they are recommending that specific restoration for that specific tooth.
If they say cosmetic, ask if there is a more conservative treatment possible.
If they say structural ask them to explain what is wrong with that tooth.
Make sure you understand WHY you need treatment before you start.
Veneers vs Crowns for Patients Travelling to Turkey
International patients have one extra thing to consider.
If you are travelling to Turkey from the UK follow up dental care isn’t as easy as popping home to see the same dentist a few streets away.
Before you go you should know:
Exactly which teeth will get veneers
Which teeth will get crowns
Why each tooth has been recommended that specific restoration
Approximately how much tooth preparation will be done
Which materials will be used
What to do if a restoration comes loose or chips
If adjustments are included as part of the treatment
What aftercare is available when you get back home
What records you will receive after your treatment
Once again. This information becomes even more important when multiple teeth are being treated in one visit.
Ask questions. Don’t accept a package name in place of a clinical explanation.
Questions to Ask Your Dentist Before Agreeing to Veneers or Crowns
Before you agree to treatment ask these questions:
Is this tooth damaged? Or healthy but cosmetic?
Why are you recommending a veneer over a crown?
Why are you recommending a crown over a veneer?
How much tooth preparation will be done?
Does this tooth already have a large filling?
Is there enough healthy enamel to place a veneer?
Is there a more conservative treatment we could try?
Will different teeth require different restorations?
What material will be used on my teeth?
How will my bite affect the treatment?
What if something goes wrong and I need to get a veneer or crown replaced?
What aftercare will I have when I fly back to the UK?
You should not get the same answer for every tooth. But you should understand why your dentist is giving you that answer for your tooth.
Final Veneers vs Crowns Thoughts and FAQs
Are crowns better than veneers?
No. The majority of the time veneers and crowns serve two very different purposes.
Are veneers better for healthy teeth?
They can be more conservative than crowns in certain cosmetic cases.
This is because veneers normally require less tooth preparation. But that doesn’t mean every healthy tooth should get a veneer.
Can you put veneers over crowns?
A natural tooth is different to an existing dental crown. If your crown needs improving the dentist will probably want to replace it. They will not treat it the same as they would your natural teeth.
Can you get a veneer with a filling?
Maybe.
If you have a tooth with a filling the dentist will want to check:
Size and position of the filling
Remaining enamel
Your bite
The general condition of the tooth
Just because you have a small filling does not automatically mean you cant have a veneer. But other factors need to be considered too.
Do veneers or crowns look more natural?
Either restoration can look natural when cared for.
Doesnt matter if its veneers vs crowns. Your dentist can plan a beautiful smile using either material.
All of the above things will affect how your smile looks when treatment has finished.
Do crowns require more tooth shaving?
In general yes. Crowns cover more of the tooth so they generally require more tooth preparation.
Why does each tooth need a different amount of preparation?
Just like the answer to veneers vs crowns; it depends on the tooth.
Patients can get crowns and veneers in the same smile.
Can you have crowns and veneers in the same smile makeover?
As we mentioned earlier. Yes you can.
Different teeth can require completely different restorations even though they are part of the same cosmetic procedure.
Veneers vs Crowns: Which Should YOU Choose?
The best way to decide between veneers vs crowns is:
Start with your tooth, not the restoration.
If your tooth is healthy and only has cosmetic issues. A veneer might allow your dentist to make those improvements while preserving more of your natural tooth.
If your tooth is already compromised. Crowns can often provide a greater degree of coverage when more of your tooth has been damaged or restored.
Especially when you want multiple teeth treated. The answer doesn’t always have to be all veneers or all crowns.
Ask yourself “ which restoration does my tooth actually need and why?
Medical Sources
1. NHS — Dental treatments / Dental veneers. NHS guidance explains that veneers are facings fitted over the front of teeth and that some veneer treatments involve removing a small amount from the front of the tooth.
NHS — Dental treatments
2. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry — Tooth structure removal associated with various preparation designs for anterior teeth. This comparative study found veneer preparations to be substantially more conservative of tooth structure than conventional complete-coverage crown preparations.
PubMed — Tooth structure removal study
3. General Dental Council — Going abroad for dental treatment. Particularly relevant to the UK-to-Turkey section: the GDC advises patients to obtain a proper assessment and treatment plan and ask about qualifications, complications, remedial work and aftercare before overseas dental treatment.
GDC — Going abroad for dental treatment