Veneers vs Crowns: Side-by-Side Comparison

According to the ADA’s MouthHealthy pages, a veneer is a custom-made, natural-looking covering for the front surface of a tooth, while a crown is a cap that covers the whole tooth to restore its normal shape and size. That single difference explains most of the others: a veneer mainly changes how a tooth looks from the front, and a crown can also make a tooth stronger.

People often search for caps vs veneers. A cap is the everyday word for a crown, so the comparison is the same. The table in this tool keeps the two columns side by side and says plainly where an ADA page is silent, instead of filling the gap with guesses.

The ADA describes veneers as a way to improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped or broken, stained, crooked or misshapen, and to mask gaps. They come in two main types. Porcelain veneers are thin custom shells that are strong and natural-looking and tend to be the more expensive option. Composite veneers use tooth-colored filling material bonded to the tooth; they may need less enamel removed and fewer visits and are easier to repair, but resist staining and wear less well.

There are also points to weigh before choosing veneers. Removing enamel makes the treatment irreversible, decay or gum disease must be treated first, and veneers may chip, crack, wear down or loosen over time. The ADA notes they may not be a good choice for people who clench or grind their teeth or have a deep overbite.

The ADA lists several situations where a crown is used. These go beyond appearance and are mostly about protecting or restoring the tooth itself. Your dentist can explain which, if any, applies to a particular tooth after an examination.

• Supporting a tooth that has too little natural tooth left to hold a large filling
• Protecting a weak tooth from breaking or restoring one that is already broken
• Covering a discolored or badly shaped tooth
• Anchoring a bridge to replace a missing tooth
• Covering a dental implant

Because veneers are considered cosmetic, the ADA notes that insurance may not cover them unless they are deemed medically necessary. Crown coverage depends on your plan, so ask your dental office for a pre-treatment estimate before you agree to either treatment.

The cost section of this tool divides each quote by the number of years your dentist says to expect before repair or replacement. It does not assume a lifespan, because the ADA pages give none. Per-year cost is only one factor: a veneer and a crown do different jobs, so the cheaper figure is not automatically the better fit for your tooth.

Whitening does not change the color of veneers or crowns, so if you are thinking about whitening your natural teeth, ask your dentist whether to do it before treatment so the shades can be matched. Cavities can still form under or around a veneer, so the ADA recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth daily, avoiding biting nails or chewing hard objects, and wearing a mouthguard for sports.

The ADA also warns about unlicensed veneer technicians and encourages people to see a licensed dentist. Unsupervised treatment by unlicensed individuals can cause damaging complications, may carry risks of infection and nerve damage, and may place veneers over teeth that are not healthy.