|  | Dental Health | Dental Veneers

What Is Better for Crooked Teeth: Veneers or Caps?

Dental veneers are tooth-colored shells that cover the natural tooth while a cap replaces the tooth with a tooth-colored crown. Crowns are used to remove decay, and veneers work for patients with healthy teeth who just want them straightened.

  1. Benefits of Veneers

    • Tooth-colored veneers are a fitted porcelain shells that go over the patient's original teeth. Cosmetic dentists use veneers to straighten crooked teeth without braces.

    Benefits of Caps

    • A cap replaces the tooth entirety and works for patients with cavities, fractured or chipped teeth. Since the damaged tooth is replaced by a crown, crooked teeth can be straightened with a cap.

    Functions

    • Both look like natural teeth, but will inhibit biting into hard foods. Caps have margins that have to be monitored for decay while veneers don't.

    Longevity

    • Veneers, caps and crowns can last as long as 10 to 15 years, given the patient practices good hygiene and proper care.

    Insurance Coverage

    • If there's decay, insurance companies will most likely cover crowns under the major category. Veneers are elective and therefore not covered by insurance.

Dental Veneers - Related Articles