Dental Implants vs Veneers: What Are the Differences?

What's the best option for improving oral health: dental implants or veneers? 

The answer depends on the problem you are dealing with and your oral health needs. Both implants and veneers can be excellent options but they address different issues and needs. 

Let's find out more! 

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How Dental Implants Work 

Dental implants have three major components: the metal post, a connector piece called the abutment, and the dental crown. 

The metal post gets inserted into the jawbone and becomes the artificial root of your new tooth. However, this doesn't happen overnight but during a long osseointegration process that takes about six months. The dentist will then connect the abutment and then attach the dental crown for a permanent tooth replacement. 

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How Dental Veneers Work 

Veneers are thin shells that enhance and blend with your natural smile. They are usually used to cover cosmetic imperfections like chips, cracks, severely stained teeth, or gapped teeth. 

Before the dentist can attach the veneers, they need to trim the tooth by shaving off a bit of enamel. This procedure doesn't affect the tooth structure, but it can leave the tooth exposed. And, since enamel doesn't grow back, you will always have to wear veneers to protect your natural teeth. 

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Two Very Different Treatments 

As you can see, while both implants and veneers can enhance your smile, they are two very different procedures with distinct functionalities. 

• Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth while veneers are custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are typically made of porcelain or composite resin and are permanently bonded to your teeth. 

• Veneers are used to improve the appearance of discolored, chipped, misshapen, or misaligned teeth and are a cosmetic solution. Implants have a cosmetic effect too, but their primary role is to restore your oral health. 

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Which One Is Right for Me? 

The answer might seem obvious. If you have missing teeth, you need an implant. If your issue is cosmetic, you need veneers. 

But, things aren't always so black and white in dentistry. A cracked tooth may be the result of a fracture that affected the structure of the tooth, requiring extraction. In this case, even though the issue may seem cosmetic, the best solution could be an implant. 

The best way to find the best treatment for your needs is to book an appointment with our dentist near you Stephen Woodall Family Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry. Dr. Stephen Woodall has over a decade of experience and has been helping patients in Thousand Oaks get the smile of their dreams. In addition to his extensive experience and state-of-the-art equipment, he always treats every patient like they are part of the family. That's why people return to his practice time and time again. 

If you need a dentist who will create a personalized treatment plan, you can get in touch with the team at Stephen Woodall Family Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry to book your appointment.