Veneers versus caps?

Why would someone use caps than veneers - I have heard veneers are better for front teeth - What cost is expected per tooth.

Veneers versus caps?
I'm a dentist.





Veneers and caps (i.e. crowns) serve different but overlapping purposes. What you can accomplish with a veneer, you can accomplish with a cap. But not vice-versa.





Veneers are merely a facade, much like putting a new facing on your kitchen cabinets.





Crowns, on the other hand, protect the tooth from fracture. This is particularly important for teeth with very large composite restorations or endodontically treated (i.e. root canal'ed) teeth. Also, crowns are able to take biting forces. Veneers are not.





For pure cosmetics (with no need for strength enhancement), I'd go with a veneer. Less of the tooth is drilled away, and the margins (when done right) are in more cleansible areas.





Cosmetically, an all-porcelain crown can look every bit as nice as a veneer.
Reply:If a person has very large composite fillings in there front teeth, or they are a severe tooth grinder, then crowns (caps) would be better for them. We charge $925.00 a tooth for a veneer in my office.
Reply:Crowns (caps) are for teeth that are damaged beyond filling repair. If you have a root canal, you have to have a crown to protect the tooth and stablize it. A crown covers the whole tooth, like a "cap."


Veneers are mostly for cosmetic reasons. They are just a sheer piece that covers only the front of the tooth. Most people get them to improve tooth shape and color.





Cast vary depending on the dentist. Crowns are anywhere from $300 - $1000 each. Veneers $50 - $500.
Reply:IF AT ALL POSSIBLE VENEER'S ARE THE BETTER WAY TO GO. DOING CAPS.. THE DENTIST HAS TO GRIND YOUR TOOTH DOWN TO A PEG. THERE IS NO RETURN. VENEERS ARE GOOD WAY TO GO IF ITS FOR COSMETIC APPEARANCES... YOU WILL STILL HAVE YOUR TEETH NOT GROUND DOWN PEGS THAT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE CAPPED. COST VARY FROM ONE DENTIST OFFICE TO ANOTHER.
Reply:A good thing to have done is a consultation. My Dr. takes impressions and does a wax up of what he thinks is best for your situation. Making sure that the bite and cosmetics are the best they can be. If you clinch and or grind you will need a night guard made so that you do not pop off veneers.
Reply:veners cost anywhere from $900.00 to $1200 per tooth. The bad things with veneers is that they are very fragile. They are made out if porcelin and are paper thin. They can crack easily and they also have a tendancy of falling off. ALso with venners you still have to grid down the teeth so they can be placed. So once you do this something constently has to be on the tooth. Crown are more sturdy and stable, since they are PFM ( porcelin fussed to metal). They rarely break like venners would, and they tend to stay on. Take it some crown do come off, but usully its after 15 years or better. The cost of a crown is about $350.00-$600.00 depending on who you go to.