What To Know About Dental Veneers And Dental Implants
There are many dental procedures these days that can help fix various cosmetic problems. Two of those procedures you may need at some point are dental veneers and implants. Here is what you need to know about both of these treatments to understand when it will be best to use them.
Dental Implants
The purpose of a dental implant is to replace a tooth that is missing. This is done by using a metal rod that is inserted into your jawbone. Once healed, the bond will be strong enough to support a crown on the rod that replicates the look and feel of a real tooth. It's a permanent solution to fix a tooth that is missing, and gives you the best results in terms of look and performance.
Many patients like a dental implant over other solutions because there is minimal maintenance over the years to keep the dental implant in good shape. The tooth may be fake, but it still requires regular brushing and flossing to maintain the health of your gums.
It's possible that you won't be a good candidate for dental implants. Your dentist will evaluate your mouth and let you know if it's even possible to get the procedure done. This is because you need a jawbone that can support it, and if you have a deteriorating jawbone, it may not be possible without another procedure. Your dentist will perform a bone graft to strengthen the area so the titanium post has something to bond to.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers will be a cosmetic fix for damaged teeth, with it being often used to cover discoloration, cracks, chips, and other surface damage. It is essentially a porcelain shell that is attached to your teeth to cover what is wrong with them. Veneers cannot be used to hide a missing tooth, since it must be attached to a tooth for it to work.
The installation process involves removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth in order to roughen up the surface. This helps the veneers stick to the real teeth when using a dental cement. Once attached, know that the veneers won't last forever. You'll likely need to get them replaced after 10 years, but it could be longer if you take great care of them.
For more information about either of these two procedures, contact a dentist like Steven Abrams DMD for more information.