How Porcelain Veneers Differ from Implants and Dentures

Many people have heard of dentures and implants, but porcelain veneers aren’t as common. They are a cosmetic dentistry option, however, especially for those who are looking to restore their smile, but don’t want to lose any of their teeth. Let’s take a look at how porcelain veneers differ from these other two options.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of ceramic resin that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They hide any discoloration you have, make all of your teeth look bright, and give you the self-confidence that comes with having a great smile. They are not replacement teeth—they simply cover the front of your teeth so they look pretty. If you have major discoloration that doesn’t respond to whitening treatments, crooked teeth, or worn teeth, veneers are a good option.

Veneers can often be installed in one visit and don’t require much recovery time.

What’s Different with Implants or Dentures?

Implants and dentures are both options for replacing teeth, while veneers are placed over your existing teeth. Dentures are fake teeth that can be used to replace a single tooth, a line of teeth, or all of your teeth. You remove your dentures each night to clean them. Dentures are made from plastic or porcelain.

Implants are a permanent form of replacement teeth. They’re usually made from resin and a titanium post. The post is inserted into the bone under the gums to hold the implant in place. Because of this, implants take the longest recovery time out of the three options—in addition to having teeth removed, you also have to heal from having the post inserted and any potential bone grafts you need. However, implants are often considered superior to dentures because they’re permanent and require very little special upkeep. You simply brush and floss as you normally would.

If you don’t need your teeth replaced, but want a perfect smile, veneers are your best choice. The installation is less invasive, so you won’t go through painful extractions or have to go through the implanting process. If you want to know more about veneers, contact James R. Anderson, DDS, to set up a consultation.