Veneers & Crowns
For a tooth that's healthy but doesn't look the way you want it to — a facing over the front, or a cover over the whole tooth.
What it is
A veneer is a thin facing bonded to the front of a tooth. A crown covers the tooth all the way around. Both are made to match the teeth on either side, and both are decided one tooth at a time.
The difference that matters to you is how much of the tooth is involved. A veneer changes the front. A crown changes the whole thing — which is the answer when there isn't enough sound tooth left to hold a facing, or when the shape needs more than a surface change.
This is the cosmetic conversation. When a tooth is broken, worn or aching, the same crown gets talked about differently and lives under Fillings & Crowns — that one is repair. Either way we look first and tell you which conversation you're actually in.
What happens when you come in
- We look, and we say whether it's worth itSome teeth are better left alone, and whitening or bonding is sometimes the smaller answer to the same complaint. If that's true for you, we'll say so before anything is scheduled.
- Preparing the toothA thin layer comes off the surface so the veneer or crown sits flush rather than proud. This part doesn't grow back, which is why the first step is a real conversation and not a formality.
- Shade, shape, and a temporaryWe match the colour to the teeth beside it and take an impression. You wear a temporary while the permanent one is made.
- Fitting itWe try it in, check it against the teeth around it and against your bite, and adjust before it's set. You see it before it's permanent.
This might be for you if
- A front tooth is discoloured in a way whitening hasn't touched
- One tooth is a different shape or size than the ones beside it
- You have chips or wear on the edges that keep catching your eye
- A tooth has been repaired more than once and you'd rather cover it than patch it again
- You've been quoted this somewhere else and want a second opinion
None of this is a diagnosis — it’s just what tends to bring people in. If you’re not sure whether it applies to you, call and ask.
Questions people ask
Veneer or crown — who decides?
We look, we show you what we're seeing, and we explain what each one would involve for that tooth. You decide. If both would work, we'll tell you that too rather than pick the bigger one for you.
Does the tooth get filed down?
Some of the surface is removed so it sits flush, yes — more for a crown than a veneer. It doesn't grow back, so it's worth being sure. That's exactly what a consultation is for.
Will it match my other teeth?
That's the job, and it's why the shade is chosen against your own teeth rather than off a chart. Worth knowing: veneers and crowns don't respond to whitening later, so if you're planning to whiten, whiten first and match to the result.
How long does it last?
It depends on the tooth, your bite, and how it's looked after — we'd rather tell you that than a number that sounds better. Grinding at night is the usual reason one fails early, and there's something we can do about that.
Is this covered by insurance?
Cosmetic work often isn't, and when it is it's usually because the tooth needed the crown anyway. We're out of network with all insurances. We do file your claims as a courtesy, so the paperwork isn't left to you — but what your plan pays back is between you and them, and we won't guess at a number. Bring your plan and we'll tell you what we know before anything starts. CareCredit and Sunbit are there if you'd rather spread it.
What it costs
We can’t put a number on this page honestly — it depends on your mouth and your plan. What we can tell you is how it works: we look first, we explain what we think you need, and you get the cost in writing before anything starts. We don’t begin work you haven’t agreed to, and we won’t pressure you into treatment you don’t need.
We're out of network with all insurances. We do file your claims as a courtesy, so the paperwork isn't left to you — but what your plan pays back is between you and them, and we won't guess at a number. Bring your plan and we'll tell you what we know before anything starts.
CareCredit and Sunbit are available if you’d rather spread the cost. If you’d like to ask before you come in, call (903) 856-6688.
Ready when you are
We’ll greet you by name, explain things clearly, and never rush you.