Dental Implants, Veneers, and Crowns: What you Need to Know

If you want to beautify your smile, you have lots of options. Some of those options, though, can be a little confusing. Take dental implants, veneers, and crowns, for example. Each is meant to enhance the look of your smile, but most people don’t know the difference between them, or what unique purpose each serves.

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Let’s dive in.

Dental Implants vs. Crowns

Dental implants and crowns are closely related.  Both are a form of restorative dentistry that can also be cosmetic. Implants and crowns are most frequently used to replace broken, chipped, or missing teeth. Here’s how each option works:

  • Crowns. Crowns are caps that are custom-made to match your existing teeth. The cap is placed over a broken or damaged tooth to give it structure, stability, and shape, and to get rid of any sharp edges or exposed roots in the mouth.

  • Implants. Dental implants are surgical implants used to replace missing teeth. The implant embeds directly into the jaw to provide a solid anchor and typically has a crown placed over the top of it, to enhance the appearance and function of the tooth. When an implant is complete, it looks and feels exactly like your natural teeth, and is an excellent, permanent option for anyone who is missing one or more teeth.

While dental implants are more expensive than crowns, it’s because they’re a more extensive procedure. Implants are surgical, while crowns are not. Implants are used (in conjunction with crowns) to replace missing teeth, while crowns are the ideal solution for broken or malformed teeth. Dental implants also last longer than crowns and will not need to be replaced or maintained.

If you have questions about which option is right for you, talk to our dental team. We’ll be able to educate you further about the difference between the two and help you decide which option is the best fit for you.

What About Veneers?

If you have broken, damaged, stained, or uneven teeth, veneers are an option you may want to consider. Even when a dental defect doesn’t impact overall health (in the case of stained teeth, for example), it can be detrimental to self-confidence. Fortunately, veneers are an easy, permanent way to resolve the issue.

Veneers are essentially porcelain faces designed to fit and adhere to the surface of your teeth. They can restore the appearance of your teeth, creating a brilliant, even, younger-looking smile.

Here’s how they work:

  1. The dentist takes an impression. The first step in the fitting of your veneers is that your dentist will make an impression of your teeth. This creates the form with which the dentist will create your porcelain veneers.

  2. You’ll get temporary veneers. Between appointments, your dentist may fit you with temporary veneers, while the dental team works to craft your permanent veneers.

  3. The custom veneers arrive. Finally, your custom veneers will be ready, and your dentist will bond them to the surface of your teeth. The procedure is painless, fast, and offers an immediate, visible improvement to the quality of your smile.

Why Choose Veneers?

If your concerns about your smile are primarily cosmetic, veneers are a gentle, long-lasting way to get results, fast. Veneers offer the following benefits:

  • They look natural and are indistinguishable from your permanent teeth.

  • They’re versatile and can be adapted easily to your unique mouth and smile.

  • They are long-lasting – with a lifespan of 15 years or more.

  • They’re durable and stain-resistant, so you get to keep a brilliant smile for years.

If you’ve noticed moderate to severe staining or discoloration on your teeth, ask your dentist if veneers are right for you. In addition to strengthening the surface of your teeth, veneers help you feel more confident in your smile, starting now.

Orange Beach Alabama: Your Family Dentist of Choice

If you’re looking for a family dentist you can trust with the wellness of your family’s dental health, our team is here for you. Offering a wide selection of cosmetic and restorative dentistry options, we’ll help maintain and repair your teeth, and have you feeling more confident in your smile! Contact us today to learn more.