If you are unhappy with your current smile, you may be wondering, “which is better: dental implants or veneers”? There are multiple deciding factors that you should consider before going into the procedure, such as the severity of damage your smile has suffered. In some cases, one option is certainly better suited than the other.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants consist of multiple parts: the actual screw-like implant that fuses into your jaw, the abutment, and the tooth-like cap which behaves like a natural tooth.
At Digital Dental Surgery Sydney, all our dental implants are installed with the DIOnavi system. The DIOnavi system allows for implants to be embedded within one appointment, saving you both time and money.
At your appointment, the DIOnavi system provides a digital surgery guide for your dentist to follow. Using this guide, your dentist will drill two holes through the gums and directly into the jawbone, where the dental implants will be placed. This effective and straightforward implantation results in minimal discomfort and bleeding, allowing you to get back to life sooner.
Dental implants are a permanent solution for your smile. The various components may need to be replaced after upwards of 20 years.
What are Veneers?
Veneers consist of a thin layer of a given material, usually porcelain, that is placed over the surface of a tooth. As dental methodology has developed immensely over the past few decades, today’s veneers are generally quite natural and not as noticeable as they were 20 years ago.
Once you have decided to get veneers, there are a few preparatory steps you must prepare yourself for. Detailed scans, x-rays, and moulds will be taken to form the perfect veneers for your face. At your next appointment, a thin layer (less than 0.5 mm) will be shaved from your enamel to ensure the veneers can sit and appear natural compared to your other teeth.
If you do decide on veneers, it is not necessary to cover all your teeth. Just like implants, it is possible to focus only some of your teeth to improve their appearance, specifically the social six teeth at the front of your mouth.
Veneers, like dental implants, are permanent. Although the sheath of the porcelain itself could be removed, your enamel will have been damaged in the process and will not grow back. Most veneers can last up to 10 years, as long as you take the proper care precautions.
The 3 deciding factors
- Severity of Damage
Small gaps, cracks, or chips can be easily replaced with veneers and do not need to be removed to make way for an implant. Teeth that have been severely damaged by bacteria, however, should be extracted and replaced with an implant to maintain your overall oral health.
- Your goal: aesthetics or healing
Veneers are more focused on aesthetics and act to improve the appearance of your smile. In some cases, they can even be used to correct small misalignment issues if a patient did not receive orthodontic treatment previously.
Teeth implants, on the other hand, serve a more medical healing purpose. Replacing damaged teeth with implants can help to improve your overall oral health and keep your jaw strong for years to come. Since the implants affect your jaw, your facial structure will also change and become more defined and youthful.
- Monetary costs
One of the most common and important questions regarding dental improvement surgeries is the cost. “Which is cheaper dental implants or veneers” is a question our practice receives all too often. Unfortunately, there is no straight answer.
The cost of your dental implants or veneers will depend on the current health of your mouth. The final price will also fluctuate as the number of damaged teeth grows.
Keep in mind that even though one price may seem cheaper initially, you could be unintentionally creating higher emergency dental costs to pay in the future. If you decide to cover damaged teeth with veneers even though they need an implant, their condition will only deteriorate. Eventually, you will need extreme medical attention that could cost even more than the initial implant surgery.
Ultimately, the best course of action is to ask your dentist whether dental implants or veneers are better for your situation. Contact DDSS for more in-depth information about dental implants and veneers on (02) 9158 6326.
