Dental Implants vs. Veneers: What’s the Difference

In this guide, we'll discuss the main differences between veneers vs. implants including:

Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed (implanted) into your jawbone.

Sitting beneath your gum line, titanium implants fuse with the bone tissue of your upper or lower jaw (maxilla and mandible, respectively) to provide stable support for your new artificial tooth or set of teeth.

Implants are specifically made from titanium because this material is chemically stable, inert in biological environments, will bond with bone.

Biologically, inert means that they normally will not cause an bad reaction from you body because these materials don't react with bodily fluids and tissue. Being “inert” makes them ideal for dental treatments.

The purpose of the implant post is to replace your missing tooth's root. With implants there is no root canal because the tooth's root is gone or remove. There is not more natural tooth structure to work with. Implant posts fuse with your jawbone. The fusion stimulates and preserves your jaw's bone structure and supports the restoration.

This important thing to note is implants can be used to support a single-tooth restoration, the restoration of several missing teeth (bridge), or a full mouth restoration.

Implants are a permanent solution for patients who have lost an entire tooth and it’s root. Complete loss of a tooth or teeth is also known as edentulism.

With proper care, complete implant tooth replace they can last for a lifetime. The longevity of implants is why they're the most commonly recommended dental procedure for replacing missing real teeth permanently.

 Dental veneers are more commonly used in cosmetic dentistry. Unlike dental implants or dentures which are both corrective and cosmetic in nature, veneer treatment is mostly cosmetically oriented.

Of course,  these cosmetic veneers can also be somewhat corrective, like in the cases of chipped or damaged teeth. By covering the chipped area, tooth decay is less likely.

A dental veneer is actually a custom-made shell that fits over the front surfaces of your teeth. The “shell” conceals any cosmetic issues like discolorations, stained teeth, broken teeth, or chipped teeth. In fact, besides teeth whitening, they're the most common cosmetic dentistry treatment option.

Since they're just thin shells that fit over your teeth, veneers don't require any type of surgical procedure. Instead, they're placed over your existing teeth, thus addressing a number of different cosmetic issues.

Not all veneers are the same. The method of their placement depends on the type of veneer and the type of dental treatment you're getting.

For example, composite veneers are done by layering composite resin over your tooth, while porcelain veneers are usually bonded to your tooth or teeth using a special bonding agent.  These are both known as permanent veneers and should only be removed by a dentist.

Whichever type of veneer used, cosmetic veneers are very strong and last a long time with proper care.

Knowing the difference between implants vs veneers is crucial for making an informed decision when you're looking to have a beautiful smile.

These two types of dental prosthetics serve different purposes and involve different procedures, associated costs, and outcomes.

Tooth implants are designed to replace missing teeth by surgically inserting the titanium posts into the jawbone to replace the tooth root.

The length of time a dental implant procedure is different for everyone. Dentist like Dr. Corral and dental procedures like Renew's snap-in dentures look to standardize and streamline the treatment.

At the end of the day, everyone's needs are different.

For some implants can be a lengthy process that demands several additional procedures, such as bone grafting, sinus lifts, filing adjacent teeth, and more. For others it is a quickly process of one implant, inserting abutment, and finally, placing dental crowns.

The healing period for implants can is normally lengthy. The time ranges from four to eight months or longer in some cases. However, they're a permanent solution that functions like your natural healthy teeth, prevents bone loss in your jaw, and most importantly, gives your replacement teeth a natural appearance.

On the other hand, veneers aren't as invasive as dental implants. They usually don't require surgery, especially since they're primarily cosmetic in nature. The process of getting veneers is much shorter and can be done with just a few visits to the dentist.

The process involves your dentist removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface of your teeth (or other areas) to make room for the veneers. The removal of enamel ensures that they sit flush with your natural teeth. They take the impression of your teeth so that the lab can fabricate the veneers, and you'll return to the dentist for a fitting, adjustment, and final bonding. Once bonded, these thin "covers" are solidly locked into place.

While both work to restore the function of your teeth and your beautiful smile, there are significant differences between implants vs veneers. Dental implants require a surgical procedure, different materials, and multiple dental visits and are, thus, more expensive.

While costly, veneers are also significantly more affordable compared to implants, mostly due to the less complex procedures involved.

Maintenance and longevity are also important factors; veneers tend to require attention due to their delicate nature, while dental implants require good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist every six months, just like with natural teeth.

Choosing between dental implants and veneers largely depends on your dental needs, aesthetic goals, and oral health. Both dental prosthetics provide an aesthetically pleasing smile, but they satisfy different dental needs.

Veneers are cosmetically oriented, and as such, they're usually done to remove any cosmetic issues with your smile, such as minor teeth damage, misalignment, crooked teeth, and discolorations.

On the other hand, dental implants are primarily done for functional purposes, as they're used to replace missing or severely damaged teeth. They require surgical intervention, several visits to a clinician, and a whole range of complex procedures before you can meet the world with a bright smile.

All of these factors into the "cost and maintenance" discussion of implants vs veneers. Implants are much more expensive, but they're also much more durable and don't require any additional maintenance except good oral hygiene and regular bi-annual check-ups with the dentist.

Veneers are a bit more delicate and may require just a bit more maintenance. Generally speaking, their life span is typically 10 to 15 years, but they're known to last longer in some cases.

Since veneers and implants are different, they require different types of dental hygiene. The good news is that using consistent, at-home dental cleaning methods, keeping your new smile in good dental health is easy.

Brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups are all that are needed once Renew Family Dental and Dr. Corral complete your treatment.

Residents of Fort Lauderdale community and the surrounding area who want to change their smile with either single or full-mouth restorations can reach out to Dr. Corral and Renew Family Dental.

Dr. Corral provides general dentistry services, cosmetic procedures, and restorative dentistry procedures to give you a healthy, beautiful smile that makes you feel more confident.