Veneers, crowns or fillings: what do you really need?

When someone wants to improve their smile, they often arrive with a fixed idea: "I want veneers." But veneers, crowns and fillings are not the same thing, and the most talked-about option isn't always the one your case needs. At Morán Dental Clinic (Mexico City) we start from the diagnosis, not from a package: here's how they differ so you can decide with information.

Aesthetic fillings (composite)

These are tooth-colored restorations placed directly in one or a few visits. They're used for more conservative corrections: small fractures, cavities, closing minor gaps or improving the shape of a tooth.

• Advantage: more conservative and generally more accessible.
• To consider: they may need maintenance or polishing over time.

Veneers

These are thin shells (of porcelain or composite) bonded to the front of the tooth to change shape, color, size and position. They're a great option to transform a smile aesthetically while preserving much of the tooth.

• Advantage: an aesthetic, natural result — minimally invasive when properly indicated.
• To consider: they require a tooth in good baseline condition.

Crowns

These cover the entire tooth. They're indicated when the tooth is heavily damaged, has had a root canal, or needs more protection and strength. At Morán we work with zirconia and lithium disilicate (E-max) for their aesthetics and durability.

• Advantage: they protect and restore heavily damaged teeth.
• To consider: they involve more coverage of the tooth than a veneer or filling.

So, which one do you need?

It depends on how much healthy tooth you have, the condition of the tooth, your bite and your aesthetic goal. As a general rule:

• Small, conservative corrections → fillings.
• Aesthetic change of several teeth with a good base → veneers.
• Heavily damaged teeth or teeth that need protection → crowns.

The best option isn't the most popular or the most expensive: it's the one your diagnosis calls for. That's why we don't sell closed packages.

Our commitment

At Morán Dental Clinic we recommend exactly what you need —no more, no less—, on a scientific basis and with digital planning that lets us be precise. If you'd like to understand our approach better, read why we believe in the personalized appointment.