Veneers vs Crowns: Cost, Procedure and Which Is Best for You

Veneers and Crowns: Two Paths to a Better Smile

When a dentist recommends restoring or improving the appearance of your teeth, two options come up more than any other: porcelain veneers and dental crowns. Both can transform the way your smile looks, but they serve different purposes and involve different procedures. Choosing the wrong one can mean unnecessary tooth removal or a restoration that does not last.

This guide walks you through the clinical differences, costs, materials and real-world longevity of each option so you can have an informed conversation with your dentist.

What Is a Veneer?

A veneer is a wafer-thin shell of porcelain (or composite resin) bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Think of it as a protective facade that changes the colour, shape, size or alignment of the visible part of the tooth. Only a small amount of enamel is removed — typically 0.3–0.7mm — making veneers one of the more conservative cosmetic options.

Veneers are ideal for:

• Discoloured teeth that do not respond to whitening
• Minor chips or cracks on front teeth
• Small gaps between teeth
• Slightly misaligned teeth (cosmetic alternative to braces)
• Worn-down teeth that need reshaping

What Is a Crown?

A dental crown is a cap that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, encasing it from all sides down to the gum line. Crowns require more tooth reduction — typically 1.5–2mm around the circumference. They restore both the appearance and the structural integrity of a damaged tooth.

Crowns are ideal for:

• Teeth with large cavities or decay
• Cracked or fractured teeth
• Teeth after root canal treatment
• Teeth with large existing fillings that have weakened
• Supporting a dental bridge
• Protecting implant abutments

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Porcelain Veneer	Dental Crown
Tooth reduction	0.3–0.7mm (front only)	1.5–2mm (all around)
Tooth coverage	Front surface only	Entire tooth
Primary purpose	Cosmetic	Restorative + cosmetic
Typical lifespan	10–20 years	10–15 years
Stain resistance	Excellent (porcelain)	Excellent (porcelain/zirconia)
Strength	Good for front teeth	Very high — suitable for molars
Reversibility	No (enamel removed)	No (more enamel removed)
Appointments needed	2 visits over 5–7 days	2 visits over 5–7 days
Risk of needing root canal	Low	Higher (more tooth structure removed)
UK cost per tooth	£400–£1,100	£500–£900
Albania cost per tooth	€200–€350	€150–€300

Materials: What Are They Made Of?

The material your dentist uses has a significant impact on aesthetics, durability and price. Here are the most common options:

For veneers:

• Lithium disilicate (E.max): The gold standard for veneers. Exceptional translucency that mimics natural enamel. Strong enough for front teeth. Lifespan of 15–20 years.
• Feldspathic porcelain: Handcrafted by a ceramist for the most natural-looking results. Thinner than E.max but slightly less durable. Often used for ultra-thin (no-prep) veneers.
• Composite resin: Applied directly in the chair (same as bonding). Lower cost but also shorter lifespan (5–7 years) and less stain resistant.

For crowns:

• Zirconia: Extremely strong and durable. Ideal for back teeth and patients who grind. Modern translucent zirconia also looks natural on front teeth.
• Lithium disilicate (E.max): Beautiful translucency for front teeth. Not as strong as zirconia for molars.
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): A metal substructure with porcelain overlay. Strong but the metal can show as a dark line at the gum. Declining in popularity.
• Full metal (gold or alloy): Longest-lasting option but not tooth-coloured. Sometimes used on molars that are not visible.

Cost: UK vs Albania

The cost difference between the UK and Albania is substantial. According to 2026 UK pricing data, a single porcelain veneer costs £400–£1,100 privately, with London practices at the higher end. A porcelain crown costs £500–£900 for a zirconia or E.max restoration. Premium crowns can reach £1,200 at specialist practices.

In Albania, porcelain veneers typically cost €200–€350 per tooth, and porcelain crowns €150–€300 — using the same materials (E.max, zirconia) from the same international manufacturers. This means a full set of 10 veneers for a smile makeover could cost £4,000–£11,000 in the UK versus approximately €2,000–€3,500 in Albania.

How to Decide: Veneer or Crown?

The right choice depends entirely on the condition of your tooth:

• Choose a veneer if the tooth is structurally sound but cosmetically imperfect (stained, chipped, slightly misaligned, small gap).
• Choose a crown if the tooth is weakened by decay, fracture, root canal treatment or a large existing filling.
• Never place a veneer on a tooth that needs a crown — it will not provide enough structural support and may fracture.
• Never place a crown when a veneer would suffice — unnecessary removal of healthy tooth structure increases the risk of nerve damage and future root canal treatment.

A skilled dentist will always recommend the most conservative option that achieves the desired result. If you are unsure, seek a second opinion.

Get Expert Advice in Tirana

At Empire Dental Clinic, we use digital smile design and 3D scanning to show you exactly what your veneers or crowns will look like before any tooth is prepared. Whether you need one crown on a damaged molar or a full set of veneers for a smile makeover, we provide transparent pricing and use premium E.max and zirconia materials from certified European laboratories.

Visit our veneers page or crowns page for more details, or contact us for a free assessment based on your dental X-ray or photos.