Crown or Veneer: Which Does Your Tooth Need in New Haven, CT?

When a tooth bothers you, whether it's chipped, stained, worn down or cracked, you usually just want to know what it needs and what that will feel like. Crowns and veneers both give you a natural-looking tooth, and they do different jobs. A veneer changes how the front of a healthy tooth looks, and a crown covers and protects a tooth that needs more strength. We'll explain how each one helps, which kinds of teeth usually do well with each, and how our New Haven dental team helps you decide with confidence.

Veneers for teeth that are strong underneath

A porcelain veneer is usually the right choice when your tooth is healthy and strong and the concern is how it looks. Veneers are thin, custom porcelain shells bonded to the front of your teeth to change their color, shape and alignment, which makes them a lovely fix for stains that whitening can't lift, small chips, uneven edges and teeth that look too short.

The ADA's patient site explains that veneers cover the front of the tooth to improve how it looks. To make room for the porcelain, we usually remove a small amount of enamel, and that step can't be undone, so we plan carefully with you before we begin. Porcelain resists stains well, so your veneers tend to stay bright with everyday care. We design porcelain veneers as a set, considering your face and how light catches each tooth, so your smile looks like your own.

Crowns for teeth that need more strength

A crown is usually the right choice when a tooth is cracked, worn, weak or heavily filled and needs protection as well as a better look. A crown is a custom cap that covers the whole visible tooth, restoring its strength and shape while protecting the tooth underneath, and the ADA describes crowns as a way to cover and restore a damaged tooth.

We usually recommend a crown when a tooth is too damaged for a filling to hold reliably, or after a root canal, when the treated tooth needs a strong cover to keep working well. Even a back tooth deserves to look right, so we match the color, shape and proportion of every dental crown to your surrounding teeth and craft it with our trusted dental lab. We keep the tooth fully numb while we prepare it, and we make sure the crown fits your bite comfortably before we consider it finished.

Choosing with your whole smile in mind

The choice between a crown and a veneer comes down to how much of your tooth needs help. We look at the tooth itself, the teeth around it and the smile you want, then explain why one option suits that tooth better. The decision often sorts out like this:

• A healthy tooth with a stain, chip or shape you'd like to change often suits a veneer.
• A tooth that's cracked, worn, weakened by a large filling or treated with a root canal often needs a crown.
• A smile with several concerns may use both, and we design them together so every tooth matches.

For a very small chip, cosmetic bonding can sometimes be enough, and we'll tell you if that's the case. Dr. Lerch has spent more than 40 years perfecting natural-looking smiles, and our goal with every crown and veneer is the same: teeth that look like teeth.

When to have a tooth checked

If a tooth has chipped, cracked, darkened or started to feel different when you chew, it's worth coming in soon so we can see what it needs while the choice is simple. You don't have to decide between a crown and a veneer before your visit. At your exam we look at the tooth with you, explain what we see in plain words, and give you clear pricing and a timeline before anything begins.

Frequently asked questions

Can a crown and a veneer look the same in my smile?

Yes. We match the color, shape and proportion of both crowns and veneers to your natural teeth, and when a smile needs both we design them together. Working with our trusted dental lab, we make sure a crown on one tooth and a veneer on the next blend in, so your smile looks like your own.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Often, yes. A tooth that has had a root canal usually needs a crown to protect it and keep it working well for chewing. Dr. Amaefuna and Dr. Lerch will explain what your treated tooth needs, and we design the crown to match your natural teeth so it blends right in.

Does getting a crown or a veneer hurt?

Both are comfortable procedures. We keep the tooth numb while we prepare it, and most people feel fine afterward. We take our time, explain each step before we do it, and check that everything fits your bite comfortably before you leave, so you feel at ease from start to finish.

Can a chipped front tooth be fixed with a veneer?

Often, yes. A veneer can cover a chip and even out the edge so the tooth matches its neighbors. If the chip is very small, bonding may be enough, and if the break goes deep enough to weaken the tooth, a crown protects it better. We'll look at the tooth and tell you.

Whether your tooth needs a crown, a veneer or a simpler fix, you'll leave your visit knowing exactly why. Call our New Haven, CT dental team at (203) 624-5256, stop by 375 Orange St, New Haven, CT 06511, or reach us through our contact page to schedule.

Published by Center for Esthetic Dentistry.