Should You Choose Veneers or Implants?

Porcelain veneers or implants—which option is the right restoration for you? If you're torn between more than one type of dental restoration, take a look at what you need to know about veneers, implants, aesthetics, and more.



How Are Veneers and Implants Different?

Dental veneers fit on the front or visible of the tooth and hide what is underneath. This allows the wearer to correct unevenness, color, or injured areas without fully removing the natural tooth. But the porcelain cover is not temporary. The dentist must remove some of the enamel on the tooth to place the veneer. After placement, you can't remove the veneer without getting a new one.

Unlike veneers, dental implants take the place of the tooth—including what is and isn't visible. This means the dentist will need to extract the entire natural tooth before placing the implant. Without the natural tooth's root, the restoration part of the implant will need an anchor. The anchor goes under the gumline and will eventually fuse with the jawbone. This makes the implant a permanent part of the tooth that you can't remove.

A connector, known as an abutment, fits on top of the anchor. After the anchor and bone fuse and your mouth heals, the dentist will fit a prosthetic tooth (or crown) on top. This completes the implant.

Now that you know more about dental veneers and implants, you can begin to understand the differences between the two types of restorations. While both are long-term options, implants are more of a permanent restoration than veneers. Implants also take the place of the entire tooth instead of only covering it.

How Are Veneers and Implants the Same?

Even though dental veneers and implants are different, the two common restorations do have some similarities. Both are made from a tooth-colored material that looks and feels natural. They also both eliminate discoloration, unevenness, and injuries.

Along with the aesthetics of these dental devices, veneers and implants can both also improve your mouth's health and more. These dental options can eliminate areas of decay, make it easier to chew, and help you to speak clearly.

Which Procedure Is Easier?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. These include the number of veneers or implants you need, your comfort level, your health, your ability to heal, and the dentist's skill level.

In general, an implant placement procedure is more complex than what you would experience with dental veneers. Veneers may only require a consultation and a procedure appointment. But dental implants will require multiple visits for the anchor placement and the crown.

Even though veneers are usually easier to place, the procedure itself or concerns about the procedure shouldn't make you choose one restoration over the other. Again, implants are permanent and the anchor won't require a replacement in the future. While veneers must stay on your teeth, you may need a new one in the future.

Which Restoration Is the Best Option?

There is no universal best restoration for all dental patients. If you have already lost a tooth or the dentist strongly recommends removing the existing tooth because of decay, infection, or a significant injury, an implant is the restoration to choose. But if the tooth can reside in your mouth, you can consider a veneer.

Before you decide one way or the other, make an appointment with your dentist. Choose a professional who specializes in cosmetic dentistry to get the best results possible. To learn more about what you can expect, ask the dentist for before/after photos of patients with veneers and photos of patients with implants.

Do you need to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation? Contact Smiles By Hogan for more information.