Are Dental Implants or Veneers Right for Me?

dental implants​​​​​​​
  • By Courthouse Art of Dentistry
  • January 5, 2023

    • If you are about to lose a tooth, you may be thinking ahead about your options. Veneers and dental implants are options you can explore for oral restoration. However, they are very different solutions and are set aside for specific types of patients. 

    Veneers improve the look of your smile, while dental implants replace missing teeth. Veneers are the best option if your teeth are healthy but need beautification to cover up stains and gaps. Dentists will recommend dental implants if you have excessively decayed or missing teeth. 

    Which Is Best for Me, Veneers or Dental Implants?

    You will need to consult with a dentist to help you decide on the two. They will assess the damage to your teeth and guide you forward. Here are the different procedures for veneers and dental implants.

    Dental Implants

    Dental implants are titanium structures attached to your jawbone to substitute tooth roots. Dentists fix an artificial tooth to the top of a dental implant. Dental implants are a good choice for you if you:

    • Have missing teeth.
    • Have tooth decay.
    • If you clench or grind your teeth.
    • Have a facial injury.
    • Have gum disease.

    Dental implants help improve speech impediments caused by missing teeth. They also improve how you eat and your comfort.

    Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

    To get dental implants, you first must be an adult or an adolescent whose jawbone has reached its growth limit. 

    Bone Density

    Your jawbone must be healthy enough to seal in the dental implant following its placement. If Your bone density is not enough, you need to be able to accept a bone graft. A bone graft will help increase the bone mass where the implant will be attached.

    Healthy Gums

    Because of the surgical procedures involved, you will need healthy gums to receive a dental implant. With gum disease, this procedure may harm you and put you at risk of infection. An infection may cause your implant to fail, which may risk your health.

    Good Health

    Dentists use general anesthesia during the procedure for dental implants. You will need to be in good health so your body does not react to the anesthesia. You will also need to be a non-smoker to receive dental implants.

    Veneers

    Veneers are thin porcelain pieces over the front of your teeth. They are primarily used in cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile. Veneers are ineffective in fixing major teeth problems, like decayed or missing teeth.

    What Can Veneers Correct?

    Veneers are ideal if you have:

    • Discolored or stained teeth.
    • Worn teeth.
    • Uneven, irregular, or misaligned teeth.
    • Gapped teeth.

    Procedure for Getting Dental Veneers

    You will need about two to three visits to the dentist to get your veneers. The first visit is a consultation and examination. The dentist will observe your teeth and take X-rays to determine if you qualify. On the second visit, the dentist will shave off a bit of your front enamel to make space for the veneers. The final visit will include bonding the veneers to your teeth.

    For more reasons why you should floss daily, visit Courthouse Art of Dentistry at our office in Arlington, Virginia. Call 703-783-9417 to book an appointment today.