Are you unhappy with your teeth? Are you afraid to smile in photos? Do you wish there was something you could do to improve the appearance of your teeth once and for all?
You aren’t alone – it is reported that over one-third of all Americans are also unhappy with their teeth. Thankfully, there are dental procedures that can help improve your smile.
Two of the most common are veneers and dentures. Both can dramatically change your life and allow you to smile freely without any worries.
However, how do you know which procedure is the right one for you?
Read the guide below to learn everything you need to know about veneers vs. dentures.
Veneers
What exactly is a veneer? It’s a thin shell that is attached to the front of your teeth and is typically made out of porcelain or resin-composite material. Once attached, veneers change the outward appearance of your teeth, typically resulting in more attractive smiles. Veneers are considered one of the most popular dental procedures right now.
Patients tend to choose veneers if they suffer from:
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Crooked teeth
Procedure
The process of getting veneers usually takes 2-3 appointments with your dentist. The first appointment is the consultation or initial exam. In this appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth and do some x-rays.
In the second appointment, the dentist will then trim the enamel of your teeth down and make a mold. This mold will be used to create your veneers and typically takes a few weeks to get back.
At the third appointment, the dentist will bond the veneers to your teeth. The dentist will typically adjust it multiple times to get it to fit perfectly on your teeth. They will then trim the veneers and even adjust its color to make sure it’s the right fit for your mouth.
Cost
Veneers are very expensive. They can cost anywhere from $925 to $2500 per tooth.
Benefits Of Veneers
Veneers are a popular choice of treatment. There are many great benefits to choosing veneers.
Easily Fix Imperfections
Veneers are a great option to fix any stains or imperfections your teeth may have. You don’t have to pull any teeth and you don’t have to be put under anesthesia to get this procedure done.
Natural Looking
One of the great benefits of veneers is that they look natural. Dentists can adjust both the shape and color of the veneers to allow them to match the rest of your teeth.
Shortcomings Of Veneers
Despite their benefits, veneers may not be right for you. Here are some of the shortcomings.
Must Have Existing Teeth
Veneers can only be applied on existing teeth. This means that this would not be a great option for someone with missing teeth.
Lifespan
Veneers tend to only last about 10 years. This means that after that time, you need to plan for another dental procedure to replace your existing veneers.
Dentures
Dentures are typically defined as a removable set of replacement teeth. However, this definition only applies to the traditional idea of dentures. Nowadays, there are 3 options for dentures – partial, full, and permanent.
- Partial Dentures– Partial dentures are perfect for those missing a small number of teeth. Instead of pulling the remaining teeth and replacing them all, the dentist will instead create a prosthetic with the replacement teeth for those missing. You can then easily insert and remove this into your mouth.
- Full Dentures– When you think of dentures, you’re probably thinking of full dentures. These are the traditional type of removable dentures that replace all the teeth in your mouth. In order to use these, the dentist must pull all your remaining teeth.
- Permanent Dentures– Unlike full or partial dentures, permanent dentures are replacement teeth directly screwed into the jaw bone. These are also referred to as dental implants. These essentially become part of your mouth like real teeth as you cannot remove them.
Procedure
The procedure for dentures varies based on the type that you’re receiving. The dentist may need to first remove any remaining teeth.
After your teeth have been removed, the dentist will then make molds of your mouth in order to create your custom dentures. This can take several visits and several months.
For permanent dentures, instead of creating removable dentures, the dentist will screw the implants into the jaw bone. This process is also time-consuming and can take 3-6 months.
Cost
Complete dentures can cost anywhere between $400 to $8,000 depending on your dentist. While this may seem expensive, you have to consider that this is replacing all the teeth in your mouth. With 32 teeth, this breaks down to only $250 per tooth at most. This is much more affordable than the average cost of veneers.
Benefits Of Dentures
Like veneers, dentures also have many benefits. Some of which may make dentures a better choice for you.
Lifespan
Dentures have a long lifespan. They can easily last over 20 years. This is longer than most veneers. They also are less likely to chip compared to veneers.
Great Option For Already Missing Teeth
If you’re already missing teeth, dentures are your best option. Veneers are not even an option in this situation as they must be attached to existing teeth.
Natural Looking
Like veneers, dentures also look natural. Most people would not be aware you are using dentures.
Shortcomings Of Dentures
Painful
The procedure for getting dentures can be painful. It’s also a much longer process than veneers.
Dealing With Adhesives
If you choose to get removable dentures, you will need to use adhesives to get your dentures to stick in your mouth. However, if you choose permanent dentures, you will not have to use any adhesives.
Veneers Vs. Dentures: What’s Best For You?
After reading this breakdown of veneers vs. dentures, you should have a better idea of which one is the best option for your needs. Veneers are a less invasive but more expensive choice. However, in order to get veneers, you must have existing teeth.
Dentures, on the other hand, typically require that you remove teeth. It’s less expensive but much more invasive. If you get removable dentures, you’ll also have to deal with using adhesives.
You should weigh up both options and make the best choice for you.
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