Are you struggling with damaged or missing teeth? Getting porcelain veneers or dental implants can effectively solve these issues and restore your smile. But it’s hard to know what the difference is between the two and which is best for your current situation.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that bond to the front surface of your teeth to help improve their appearance. Dental veneers are purely cosmetic, covering teeth with chips, cracks or discolouration and providing an aesthetic boost to smiles. However, veneers do not actually correct functional issues relating to your teeth, only serving as a way to improve appearance. We use tooth-coloured porcelain to mimic the natural look of teeth while maintaining enough strength for functionality.
Reasons for getting veneers
Veneer dentistry is performed for a number of reasons, providing cosmetic enhancements for damaged or unsightly teeth. These may include:
- Discoloured or stained teeth
- Uneven or misaligned teeth
- Enamel chips or cracks
- Worn down teeth
- Slightly crooked or gapped teeth
Veneers are often not prepared for every tooth, depending on the tooth location and severity of the issue. However, we typically apply veneers in an even number to ensure a symmetrical appearance.
How are teeth prepared for veneers?
Veneer treatment starts with a check of your enamel to see if each tooth has enough to adequately support a veneer. If you are deemed an appropriate candidate, your dentist will prepare the teeth, take a digital scan or imprint of your teeth and create veneers that fit accurately on the tooth surface. Once made, we secure the ceramic veneers to the teeth using a dental bonding agent.
Dental implants
Where veneers cover existing teeth, implants replace teeth that are missing or teeth that cannot be saved. The implant is placed delicately into the jawbone to fill the area where an original tooth once was. Dental implants are highly durable as they can stay within your mouth for your whole life. Implant problems usually arise due to poor home care and damaging oral habits such as tooth grinding and clenching.
Reasons for getting dental implants
Implants treat more significant and extensive oral health issues. These may include:
- One or more missing teeth
- Broken or damaged teeth that cannot be repaired, or only at a very high cost
- Biting / Functional problems
Dental implants may help to prevent future bone loss and your teeth from moving while keeping a natural look and feel.
How are dental implants placed?
The process of getting a dental implant can take a few days to several months, with all procedures involving a series of appointments. During the first appointment, your dentist will take x-rays and 3D scans of your mouth to get a full understanding of where the implant will go and how best to place it. From there, your dentist will carefully place the implant screw into your jawbone and, depending on the case, leave it for 3 months as natural bone grows around it, in a process called osseointegration. Once integration of the implant with the jaw bone is confirmed, an artificial tooth crown or implant prosthesis is fabricated and inserted onto the implant(s).
Choosing veneers or implants
Veneers and implants are both durable, stable and a visual enhancement to your smile, though they function in different ways and are usually used in different circumstances. Choosing between them will depend on the extent of your problems, your oral health goals and cosmetic desires.
Timeline
Getting veneers is typically a relatively quick process, with the ceramic shells able to be prepared and applied in only a few appointments. By contrast, dental implants require more complex planning, as the process includes a small surgical procedure with most patients needing a few months of healing before the final restoration can be placed.
Once completed, both treatments are highly durable, often lasting 15 years or more with the right care. In the case of veneers, some may need to be replaced over time as they can develope small fractures or cracks. With dental implants the post itself is relatively permanent if cared for appropriately and only the prosthesis portion may need to be updated over time.
Cost comparison
In a direct comparison, dental implants are notably pricier than veneers per unit, as they involve both a surgical and prosthetic cmponent to the treatment. Veneers typically range from $800 to $2500 per tooth, while implants can cost between $4000 to $7000 per tooth (depending on exactly what is required). However, the longevity of each treatment often makes them quite cost-effective for patients when the cost is spread out over that lengthy time period.
Which is right for you?
Understanding the difference between veneers and implants will help you choose the treatment that better addresses your concerns. Our team at CDIC is here to provide you with expert and friendly guidance on all your treatment options, and complete support with your dental health. Contact us to learn more about veneers and implants, and how we can help.
