Dental Implants vs Veneers: Which Option Is Best For You?

When it comes to the look of our smile, it can be disappointing to see cracked teeth when we look in the mirror. Like it or not, people do judge others based on their poor oral hygiene. When your teeth are broken, cracked, or rotten, it affects your confidence and in turn your relationships or social life. 

Taking care of your teeth when they are in rough shape is important to take control of your life back. However, with so many different options it can be confusing. With so many processes to undergo and so many tools to be used on your teeth, learn the uses and differences of each tool from My DDS Supply. For instance, you can either use veneers or get implants. 

There are many dentists nearby that do these options so you don’t have to go all the way to Phuket for dental work! Smile on Six implants can guide you through your options but we have a basic overview to give you something to think about before you go to the dentist. 

What are veneers?

Veneers are simply covers for your teeth. When they are chipped, broken or there are gaps between your teeth, the veneer will cover them up and look like your natural tooth. They are made out of material like ceramic so they do a good job of strongly protecting your teeth and making them look better than ever. 

They are generally made for the teeth that are visible when you smile as there are other alternatives for teeth like molars that are not usually seen. 

What are implants?

Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that replace your real ones. If you have missing teeth then an implant can be inserted where the tooth was. Or, if your teeth are too far gone to be able to fix, then they can be removed and an implant put in instead. 

They are made of two distinct parts. There is the anchor that gets drilled into the jaw bone that is then fused in place. Over that is the crown which is made to look like the tooth that was lost. There is no visible difference between an implant and a real tooth. If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants and how to care for them, Check out dental implant specialist Dimitri Salin’s guide to implant care.

When to use an implant

An implant is best used as a permanent replacement for a tooth that is lost. It is a great way to go when you have a missing tooth or your teeth are in bad shape. Rather than try to fix them, some people opt to have a rotten or chipped tooth removed and replaced with an implant so they never have to think about it again. 

Dental implants are usually cosmetic in nature and are rarely covered by dental insurance. This means that they are quite pricey. It is also a surgical procedure so how much it costs will be determined by your particular physiology and what needs to be done. As mentioned, they are inserted surgically, so this is more invasive than getting veneers. 

When to use a veneer

Veneers are best used when the damage to a tooth is not going to be a long-term problem by being covered. In other words, it is strictly cosmetic and isn’t meant to heal a tooth that can’t be fixed. A veneer is much less expensive than an implant. However, if your tooth is in danger of eventually needing to be extracted, then an implant is the better option.