Improving your smile can do wonders for your confidence and quality of life. When it comes to tooth replacement, two popular cosmetic options are veneers vs. implants. Veneers are thin shells that cover the teeth’s front surface, while implants are artificial tooth roots used to support replacement teeth. This article compares dental implants vs veneers to help you decide which solution may work best to make over your smile.
Replacing missing, damaged, or unsightly teeth is an important decision. Both veneers and implants can beautifully restore form and function. However, there are key differences in how they improve smile aesthetics and feel compared to natural teeth. Understanding the differences in treatment time, cost for veneers, longevity, adjustability, and tooth structure removal can help set realistic expectations about life with veneers vs implants.
What are Veneers?
Veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers) are custom-made covers designed to go over the front surface of existing teeth. A small amount of enamel needs removing so veneers can be bonded tightly to teeth for a seamless look. Veneers are extremely thin and mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth for a bright, uniform smile. Teeth before veneers often have imperfections. Veneer teeth shaving removes a small layer to allow a flush fit.
Veneers vs implants can mask imperfections like chips, gaps, stains, and crooked teeth. Chipping a tooth is something that can catch anybody off guard, causing distress and concern. While very thin, veneers create fuller and more symmetrical teeth dimensions. Veneers offer an instant smile makeover in just a few dental visits. However, they only improve front-facing aesthetic issues rather than replace missing teeth functionality like dentures can. When considering options for tooth replacement, the choice between veneers vs dentures may depend on the extent and location of tooth loss, along with cost factors
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically inserted into the jawbone beneath the gums. They fuse securely to the bone and act as sturdy anchors for attaching replacement teeth. Bridges, crowns, or dentures can be fixed to implants to fill any number of missing teeth. The closest thing to natural teeth, implants bring back bite force and chewing efficiency.
A bonus is that implants prevent bone loss and deterioration that occurs over time after losing teeth. As they integrate with existing bone structures and tissues, implants help maintain the jaw’s shape and density. This also preserves support for facial features and muscles. Implants restore aesthetic form and functional mechanics for natural-looking and comfortable teeth replacement.
Treatment Time – Veneers vs Implants
Veneers offer a faster smile makeover, taking just 2-3 dental visits over a couple of weeks. First, a small amount of enamel is gently buffed away to allow for the thin veneer shells. Next, impressions are taken to fabricate the custom covers in a dental lab before they are permanently bonded to teeth. While adjusting to the initial feeling of veneers takes some time, the treatment itself is relatively quick.
Getting implants takes much longer, around 5-7 months for complete treatment. There’s the initial surgery to position the implant screw into the bone, then several months of healing time for full integration. Last comes the placement of the visible crown attached to the implant. The extended timeframe allows the implants to become fixed and sturdy beneath the gums, providing dependable anchors for artificial teeth.
Cost – Veneers vs Implants
Both veneers and implants require customized work and materials, so they represent a significant dental investment. On average, porcelain veneers cost $925-$2,500 per tooth. While more affordable than other restorations, the composite versions still run $250-$1500 per tooth. Since veneers only cover the visible tooth surfaces, additional treatment like dental bonding vs veneers may be needed to fix unseen issues underneath. Are veneers covered by insurance? Coverage varies widely, though veneers are more likely to be covered than implants.
Implants range from $3,000 – $6,000 per tooth, including surgical placement and attaching the visible crown. While more expensive upfront, implants are an effective long-term investment. They preserve bone structure and surrounding teeth compared to alternatives like bridges. Implants also prevent the need for more invasive treatments down the road compared to veneers or dentures.
Insurance coverage varies widely, though veneers are more likely to be covered than implants. Most dental insurance plans classify veneers vs implants as cosmetic rather than medically necessary. Verify whether any part of treatment costs and follow-up care may be reimbursed by insurance beforehand.
Longevity – How Long Do They Last?
With proper oral care, porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or longer before replacement is needed. However, veneers do carry a higher risk of damage over time than implants. Their thin composition is prone to cracking or chipping from trauma. Excessive grinding or clenching can also loosen veneers and cause them to pop off. Avoiding hard foods and wearing a night guard helps reduce injury risk.
In contrast, dental implants are built to last. With excellent bone integration and stability, implants have over 95% success rates that can easily last 25 years or a lifetime. occasional. While more invasive to get installed, implants require little special maintenance once healed and integrated. Their sturdy construction stands up well to normal wear and tear from biting and chewing.
Adjustability – Can They Be Replaced or Removed?
While veneers and implants aim to be long-lasting, tastes and dental needs can change over time. If desired, veneers can be replaced down the road. They may start to show visible wear and change color after a decade or so. Although removing and replacing veneers sacrifices more natural enamel, modifications are simpler than with implants. Teeth after veneers are removed may need additional restoration.
Amount of Tooth Reduction
Placing either veneers or an implant crown requires some modification of existing teeth. Veneers need a small amount of front enamel reduction so they can sit flush on teeth. This permanently alters the original tooth structure, though modern precision techniques conserve as much enamel as possible. Gum tissue levels also remain untouched. What do teeth look like under veneers after this reduction? The natural contours are reshaped to support the veneer.
The implant process does not affect visible crown surfaces. However, the anchor screw is surgically embedded into the jawbone for stability and strength. Therefore most tooth reduction happens beneath the gums. For single non-adjacent tooth replacement, neighboring teeth can remain largely untouched. Also, can you get cavities with veneers in place? Yes, decay between the veneer and natural tooth is still possible if oral hygiene is poor.
Bottom line
Veneers vs implants offer two excellent tooth replacement options with natural form and function. Veneers provide faster smile makeover results by masking imperfect front tooth surfaces with thin covers. Implants act as artificial roots for attaching replacement teeth and restoring chewing capacity.
While more costly and time-intensive, dental implants deliver superior durability and longevity. Their full integration with the jawbone also maintains healthy teeth alignment and facial structure. Veneers offer reasonably affordable and low-maintenance enhancements for solely aesthetic issues. But for multiple missing or heavily damaged teeth, implants better improve oral function.
In other cases like dental bonding vs veneers, a combination approach may work well. Bonding underneath with implants or veneers on top enhances stability and aesthetics.
Consider both short and long-term costs, benefits, and consequences of treatment. With realistic expectations about the pros and cons of veneers vs implants, you can confidently transform your smile for the better. What option seems best for your mouth – veneers or implants?
