Are Dental Implants Or Veneers Best For Your Smile?

The first step in establishing whether you need dental implants or veneers is to decide what type of problem you need help with. Do you need to replace a whole tooth, or do you need to make aesthetic changes to the visible surface of your tooth?

 

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells or covers that are placed over the surface of the teeth, to re-surface it. They can be created from porcelain, which is very durable and long lasting but more expensive, or composite resin, which may not last as long, but which is more affordable.

Your veneers will be custom-created for your mouth, and in order to complement the other teeth in your mouth. Currently porcelain gives the best light refraction qualities, catching the light very similarly to the way your natural teeth do.

They are considered to be a type of cosmetic dentistry because they address the appearance of your teeth, but not their function.

 

What Are Veneers Used For?

Patients use them to conceal certain imperfections on their teeth, including

1. Changing the size of your teeth
2. Changing the shape of your teeth
3. Changing the colour
4. Covering cracks, chips or areas of discolouration

Veneers were long considered a dental treatment for the rich and famous, but the advent of composite resin has made them more affordable for everyone.

 

What Are Dental Implants?

Tooth implants are metal screws that are surgically embedded into the jaw bone, in order to replace lost or missing teeth. Essentially a dental implant is only the “root” replacement of the root that sits below your gum line. Once this artificial root has been osseo-integrated into your own jaw, your dentist will attach an abutment, which is a metal extension that connects the implant to your dental crown – the visible part of your tooth.

 

What Are Dental Implants Used For?

Tooth implants are used to replace whole teeth. They are typically used to replace teeth that have been lost to decay, and are currently the only permanent tooth replacement option for patients.

Alternative tooth replacements to tooth implants include dental bridges and dentures.

Tooth implants do eventually replace your tooth aesthetically, but perhaps their bigger benefits are related to restoring function to your bite.

The most successful dental implant procedures are well planned so that you have sufficient time to heal after each step of the process.

You will need to meet certain eligibility criteria for your dental implant such as having healthy teeth and gums free of gum disease, being a non-smoker and not have any condition that interferes with your body’ ability to heal itself.

At DDSS and DDII we make use of digital dental implants, which give us a greater degree of accuracy and enable our patients to heal faster. We believe that tooth replacements can be efficient and offer our patients a high level of dental comfort.

 

Why Is It Important To Replace Missing Teeth?

When the roots of a tooth are missing, the jaw bone underneath starts to deteriorate and wear away. Because there is an open space in the mouth, your other teeth will start to shift around in time and may become loose and eventually fall out. Humans need a full mouth of teeth to give our faces harmony and symmetry.

Without all of our teeth, our cheeks can appear sunken and hollow. We also need our teeth to speak and enunciate clearly. Many patients who have lost teeth feel less confident about smiling because of the appearance of their teeth and replacing the tooth with a robust implant and natural-looking crown can make a world of difference to a patient’s self esteem.

 

Which Is Better Dental Implants Or Veneers?

If your dental issue relates to replacing missing teeth, a dental implant is probably best for you. If you would like to improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth because of the way they look, you would probably benefit from dental veneers. It is also worth knowing that in order to make space for them, your dentist needs to remove a certain amount of tooth enamel from the teeth that are going to be bonded. The only way to be sure is to visit your dentist for a professional diagnosis.

 

Which Is Cheaper Dental Implants Or Veneers?

Porcelain can be quite pricey, but you can look forward to more than 20 years with good dental care. If you would like a more pocket-friendly option, composite resin is typically more affordable. Dental veneers are considered a cosmetic or elective treatment and are thus generally not covered by health or dental insurance.

High quality tooth implants do require a capital investment but again, with good dental care they can be expected to last for the rest of your lifetime, and can restore both form and function to your bite. Both a veneer and a dental implant should be matched to the rest of your natural teeth, and when the procedures are skillfully done, no one else should be able to tell.

Still curious whether veneers or tooth implants are for you? Please contact us for a convenient appointment:

Sydney CBD: (02) 8294 5812
Gosford: (02) 8294 8656