Are Dental Veneers and Dental Caps (crown) are same?

A veneer is a very thin layer (about 1 mm thick) of porcelain or other material that is bonded to the front of an existing tooth. They’re not as invasive as crowns, because the preparation leaves more of your original tooth intact. (About 0.5mm of the enamel on the front of the tooth is ground down to roughen the surface for bonding the veneer. Some newer types of veneers don’t need as much grinding of the tooth surface.) Veneers are more subject to breaking because they are thinner and made of more delicate porcelain. Veneers typically last 7-15 years before they need to be replaced. However, veneers are a little easier to replace because they do not cover your entire tooth. A porcelain veneer is strictly a cosmetic option.

A crown is about 2 mm in thickness and covers the whole tooth. It can be all porcelain, porcelain fused to a metal alloy (PFM), or an all-metal alloy. A crown can give you the same final look as a veneer but with a true restoration. Crowns are made of more durable material so they do tend to last a little longer, usually last 10-15 years. Crowns are larger and cover most of the tooth. They are used to improve a tooth’s structure, as well as its appearance.