Dental implants and veneers are two popular options for people looking to improve their smiles. Both implants and veneers use state-of-the-art materials and techniques and offer significant benefits for your smile aesthetics and your confidence, too. But despite those similarities, these treatments are very different and are used for different concerns, too.
At CaliDental, our team offers both dental implants and porcelain veneers, so patients in San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Bakersfield, and Lompoc, California, have the broadest array of options to improve their smiles and their oral health, too. In this post, our team explores the differences between these two popular treatments to help you decide which is better choice for your needs.
Porcelain veneers are very thin shells that are adhered to the front of a tooth. Custom-shaped and tinted to blend with your smile, veneers are used to correct an array of cosmetic issues, like:
Veneers can be placed on one tooth or on several teeth to transform the way your smile looks.
Applying a veneer usually requires two visits. At the first visit, we remove some of the tooth’s surface material to make room for the veneer. This step ensures your new veneer is even with the surfaces of the neighboring teeth. We also take an impression of the tooth and send it to the lab where your veneer is made.
We attach the veneer to the tooth at the second visit using a special dental adhesive. Then we gently shape the veneer for a perfect, comfortable fit. Afterward, you can care for your veneer with regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits, just like you care for the rest of your teeth.
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. Designed more like a natural tooth than either dentures or bridges, implants feature a post that’s embedded into your jawbone. The post supports an artificial tooth or crown.
Implants are extremely secure and comfortable because they’re attached to your jawbone. They’re also very easy to care for, long-lasting, and natural-looking. Plus, the post acts like a natural root to stimulate your natural bone replacement cycle, helping to prevent jaw bone loss that can lead to additional tooth loss in the future.
Like veneers, implants typically take two visits. During the first visit, the post is embedded in your jaw, where it fuses with your bone over a period of several weeks. The crown is attached to the post at the second visit and adjusted for a perfect fit.
In a nutshell, veneers are a better choice for cosmetic issues, while dental implants are intended to replace missing teeth. During your visit, we’ll review your concerns and goals, so you can feel confident the treatment we recommend is focused on helping you achieve your unique goals.
To learn more about dental implants, veneers, and other state-of-the-art treatments that can help you enjoy a lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles, book an appointment over the phone with the team at CaliDental today.
