There are a lot of procedures available to you when you go to the dentist, and among two of the popular procedures are dental implants and porcelain veneers.
Dental implants are small metal posts that are driven through the gums and into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. The part that actually looks like a tooth is a crown that’s attached to the implant.
Porcelain veneers are a less involved procedure. The veneer is a thin piece of material that is applied to the front of the tooth to cover up discoloration or damage.
Which of these procedures is better than the other?
To find the answer to this question, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each procedure:
Dental Implant Pros
- Dentures, the previous #1 solution to missing teeth, have a tendency to slip around in the mouth. This can make it difficult to talk and eat, and it can lead to embarrassed instances of dentures falling out completely. Dental implants, however, are completely fixed; they’ll never fall out or slip around.
- A dental implant plus a crown looks exactly like a real tooth.
Dental Implant Cons
- They’re a bit expensive relative to other dental procedures.
Porcelain Veneer Pros
- By using porcelain veneers, all it takes is one trip to the dentist to cover up years of wear and tear.
- They’re affordable compared to other procedures.
Porcelain Veneer Cons
- Not everyone is eligible for this procedure: if your teeth are particularly weak or you have a problem with grinding your teeth, veneers might not be an option for you.
- To put veneers on, the dentist has to remove some enamel, which may increase your sensitivity to hot and cold.
The Verdict
Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of both, it’s time to answer the titular question: which is better, dental implants or porcelain veneers?
Well, this may seem like an anticlimactic conclusion, but the truth is that there is no real cut and dry right answer here. The best option for you depends on what your dental situation is. It also depends on what your budget is. It depends on a lot of things. But you should be able to take the information you learned from this article and make the most informed, intelligent decision possible.
If you have any questions about dental implants or porcelain veneers, please feel free to contact us and ask.
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