Broken, discoloured, or crooked teeth typically require some form of dental restoration service. When it comes time to repair the damage, choosing the right option can be a bit confusing. Both veneers and crowns may improve the look and function of your teeth; however, dental restoration can quickly become a large expense. Below we’ll take a quick look at each option, and how they are priced so you can make an educated decision on which option to choose.
Crowns
Crowns are typically used when a tooth has suffered serious decay or damage. They cover the entire tooth and require a significant amount of the tooth to be ground down or filed prior to application. Usually measuring approximately 2mm in thickness and made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal alloy (PFM), or an all-metal alloy, crowns can be applied when there is only a small amount of tooth remaining. Crowns are typically used after large fillings, root canals, or in some cases, involving badly worn or broken teeth.
Veneers
The less invasive and thinner of the two options, veneers are typically about 1mm thick and made of porcelain or similar materials. The application leaves more of the original tooth intact with only .5 mm of the enamel needing to be ground down in order to roughen the surface to bond the veneer to the tooth.
The newest veneers require even less of the tooth's surface to be ground down prior to application. Although less invasive, the application of veneers may still require local anesthesia to avoid any discomfort during the procedure. Veneers are typically used when restoration is required for cosmetic purposes due to discolouration, or for chipped and misshapen teeth.
Pricing
It’s important to remember when planning for any major restorative work to be done that most dental insurance plans have yearly maximums which reset in January of each year. Your dental team will work with you to plan any costly services with this in mind to prevent you from hitting your limit and paying more out of pocket than necessary.
Covered by most major insurance plans, crowns are priced based on what material is used and ranges from about $900 to $1500 per tooth, not including additionally required services such as root canals or core build up. Veneers, on the other hand, due to being mostly being used for cosmetic restorations, tend to not be covered by insurance and range in price from $500 - $2000 per tooth.
If you have more questions, some dental damage to be restored, or need to book your next routine check up, the friendly dental care team at Franklin Dental located in Fort McMurray are ready to help. Call today at 780-790-0088, or fill out our easy appointment request form and let us contact you!
