VENEERS VS DENTURES
Dentures and veneers are very different...
Over half of American adults head to the dentist every year to have some sort of procedure performed. Procedures for discolored teeth, gaps in your teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, rotting teeth, and teeth missing for medical reasons or due to injury.
There are a lot of different dental procedures available, but what are the differences with veneers vs dentures? And what would be best for you? Are Dentures or Veneers the only options? Let's find out.
Veneers Vs Dentures Vs Dental Implants
Veneers and dentures are both options for changing one’s smile; however depending on the condition of your teeth you may or may not be a candidate for one or the other.
Veneers are thin coverings that are placed over the top of existing teeth. If you are missing teeth, these cannot be used to replace missing teeth.
Dentures are a temporary solution that are used to replace missing teeth. Although they can restore some functionality, they can come with drawbacks.
Dental Implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth that restore functionality without the drawbacks that come from dentures. Full mouth dental implants are a great option if you’re missing teeth and are not a candidate for veneers.
If you’re looking to restore your smile, see if you may be a candidate for dental implants with this 60-second quiz.
WHAT ARE DENTURES?
In a nutshell, dentures are false teeth that are used to replace missing teeth or to replace teeth that are unhealthy and need to be pulled. They are a prosthetic device that must be inserted and removed every day.
There are two basic types of dentures: partial dentures or full dentures. It will come as no great shock to learn that partial dentures replace a specific portion of your teeth, while complete/full dentures replace all of your teeth.
Dentures are usually made of a combination of materials, including nylon, porcelain, acrylic, resin, or metal. Most of the time, there will be a complete set of teeth attached to a plastic plate that extends over the roof of your mouth that will help hold the denture in place. This can oftentimes cause discomfort such as sores from dentures, rubbing, or dentures triggering your gag reflex.
Some partial dentures, however, hook on to your remaining teeth to give them support.
Pros and Cons of Dentures
Pros of Dentures
- You can replace all of your missing teeth
- You can replace a portion of missing teeth
Cons of Dentures
- Bulky
- Can cause gagging
- Must be removed, inserted, and cleaned daily
- Can break
- Can contribute to bone loss
- Must be relined and replaced as your jaw shrinks
- Are NOT a permanent solution
If you’re considering dentures to replace missing teeth, it’s important to understand that wearing dentures for a prolonged period of time can lead to bone loss and may disqualify you from permanent options like dental implants.
Read more about dental implants vs dentures here. Or see if you may be a candidate for dental implants with this 60-second quiz.
WHAT ARE VENEERS?
An important thing to note is that if you are missing any teeth, veneers are not an option to correct your smile.
Veneers are transformative coverings placed over your teeth. They are made of porcelain or composite resin. Veneers are an option when you have severely discolored teeth due to intrinsic stains that cannot be corrected by professional bleaching. (Think tetracycline stains.)
They can be helpful for small gaps, chips, or teeth that have been damaged by trauma. (Trauma might be an injury that basically killed the root and caused the tooth to become gray.) Veneers are not an option for someone who has crooked teeth, bruxism, gum disease, or existing cavities. They’ll only make your condition worse. If your teeth are not in great condition and you’re considering a permanent solution, see if you may be a candidate for dental implants.
You have two choices when it comes to composite veneers: direct or indirect. Direct composite veneers are made in the office and placed right onto your existing teeth. Indirect composite veneers are custom made and take a little more time.
Composite Veneer Application
Composite veneer application is a bit like painting furniture that already has a protective coating on it. You will start out with a dental cleaning followed by a bit of “sanding” down of your teeth.
Depending on the condition of your teeth, this etching process may look different. Your teeth need to be roughed up for the composite resin to adhere properly. Next, the dentist puts the resin on and shines an ultraviolet light on it, causing it to harden.
Pros and Cons of Veneers
Pros of Composite Veneers
- Minimal gum damage
- Easy repair process
- Simple application
- Able to correct various cosmetic dental issues
- Can be completed in one dental visit
- Less invasive than dentures
Cons of Composite Veneers
- Can stain easily
- Resin is not strong
- Not a permanent solution
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the higher quality veneers custom-made just for you. You’ll need to see the dentist twice to finish your application.
Porcelain Veneer Application
First, your teeth will be sanded down to make room for your veneers. During this sanding away of your enamel, you can also expect the dentist to remove any decay.
Your dentist will consider your natural tooth shape and color when having your custom veneers created. In the meantime, a prosthodontist will give you temporary veneers to cover your teeth while your custom veneers are being made.
Finally, at your second appointment, a dental surgeon will take off those temporary veneers, clean the area, attach your custom veneers with a special cement, and shine an ultraviolet light on the veneers to harden them.
Porcelain Veneer Pros
- Porcelain is strong
- Stain resistant
- Zero harm to your gums
Porcelain Veneer Cons
- Expensive
- Decay can occur under the veneer
- Require polishing
- More invasive
- Not a permanent solution
SO, WHICH IS THE BETTER CHOICE ... VENEERS OR DENTURES? OR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
If your teeth just need some cosmetic help that cannot be fixed by bleaching and a brief stint wearing invisible aligners, then check out veneers to improve your smile. Do not use dentures to correct your smile for cosmetic reasons.
If you are missing teeth or have a few unhealthy teeth that need to be pulled, you might be thinking, Well, shoot. I would have preferred veneers, but now I’ll just be stuck with dentures.
The good news is that you do not have to be stuck with dentures. You don’t have to choose between the lesser of two evils.
Do NOT get dentures.
When you need to replace your teeth, Nuvia has experts ready to help you learn all about our amazing full mouth dental implants and the twenty-four-hour process that transforms your smile.
Yesss. You read that right. Twenty-four hours.
And you can take “the lesser of two evils” and kiss it goodbye!
You can get a natural-looking smile that fits you to a tee, has you chewing again, and keeps you from experiencing further bone loss. Dentures cannot do that for you.
So, take this 60-second quiz to see if you may qualify for dental implants. Nothing would make us happier than having a chat with you and learning how we can help. We would love to hear from you!
Nuvia is not a bait-and-switch company. We make it our business to listen to you, answer your questions, and give you real solutions.
.jpg)
