With today’s dental technology, there are many supportive and visually enhancing options to choose from when looking for solutions for your oral health care needs.
When it comes to understanding the difference between veneers or implants to take care of your oral health concerns, Dr. Colin Young and our team at Crystal Smiles Dental not only offer excellent advice to help you understand the right choice for you but also perform your treatments with superior precision.
Let’s look at what veneers and implants do and how the procedures work.
Understanding veneers
Veneers are an excellent choice when you want to cover up cosmetic flaws. They can correct issues with your teeth if they’re:
- Gapped
- Misshapen
- Discolored
- Mildly misaligned
They can also improve the function of your bite if your teeth are chipped, cracked, or worn down.
The procedure involves shaving down a small portion of the surface of your tooth. We then bond a thin tooth-colored porcelain or resin shell over the targeted tooth or teeth. Veneers offer an easy way to change the look of your smile quickly.
Though they don’t prevent oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, or bacterial infections, you can avoid oral health problems by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and keeping your routine checkups with our team.
Veneers typically last 10 years or longer when you practice good oral health care habits.
Understanding dental implants
If you have missing teeth and want to have them replaced, dental implants serve as an excellent solution. Dental implants offer:
- A natural look and function
- Jaw stimulation, which prevents bone loss
- Resolution for biting issues and joint pain
- Long-lasting results
A dental implant procedure is a more lengthy process that requires oral surgery. We first install a titanium post into your jawbone to serve as a tooth root. If you don’t have a strong jawbone, you may need a bone graft before getting an implant.
Once the implant fuses with your jawbone, which can take 3-6 months, we then affix an artificial tooth to an abutment that sits on top of your implant. Next, we seal it with special dental cement. Your implant can last up to 20 years or longer.
Choosing the right treatment
To determine the best treatment for you, we first assess your oral health. We also learn about your preferences and personal needs.
A dental implant might be recommended if you have a missing tooth or teeth. We can look at your bone structure to see if you have enough bone to support an implant.
If your needs seem to be mostly cosmetic, veneers might be your answer. The treatment usually takes at least two visits to our practice. However, you can have your final look within just a few weeks.
To schedule an evaluation of your oral health and talk about how to choose the right treatment for you, call our friendly office staff in Livermore, California, today. Or for convenience, text us or click here to check availability online.