Do Your Dental Veneers Need Replacing With Dental Implants?

Dental veneers are a wonderful cosmetic way to correct many of the dental cosmetic complaints people have. They can be used to correct chips, gaps, discolorations, and teeth that are not the same length. But unfortunately, even if they are bonded correctly, the veneer and the tooth that they are attached to may not last forever. When this happens you may want to consider replacing your veneers with dental implants. If you are in this position, or think that you may have to make this decision sometimes soon, you may want to know the following information.

When Will My Veneer Need Replacing?

If your dental veneers are properly installed and you don't have any other dental problems involving your teeth, you can anticipate getting anywhere from 10 - 20 years out of them. Most are replaced because the wearer no longer likes how they look, or because they develop chips or cracks. Many times it is a very simple fix to remove one veneer and replace it with another.

But unfortunately, this is not the only time you may have to replace the veneer or remove the tooth it is attached to. Your teeth will still be susceptible to tooth decay, abscesses, periodontal disease, injury, or other dental problems which could result in you loosing the tooth completely. It is during these times that you may want to consider replacing the tooth that has previously been covered with a veneer with a dental implant.  

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is when your dentist surgically implants a metal or titanium post into your jawbone or below your gum line. Once this dental titanium implant heals, your dentist will then be able to mount a replacement tooth, or set of teeth, onto the post. Unlike dentures or bridges that can be removed, shift, or slip, a dental implant is fused permanently in place and will feel more like your natural teeth. There are two basic types of implants. These are:

• Endosteal implants - These are the most common type of dental titanium implants that are placed in your jawbone. 
• Subperiosteal implants - These are placed under your gum but not directly into your jawbone. These are used in patients that do not have enough jawbone to support traditional types of implants, and do not want to go through the surgery required to rebuild their bone. 

What Are The Advantages Of An Implant?

There are many advantages to having your dentist perform a dental implant restoration versus just pulling the tooth and leaving it out. 

A dental implant restoration can restore your appearance. Because they are designed to look like and feel like your original teeth, no one will be able to tell that you ever had a tooth missing.

A dental implant can improve your comfort. As stated previously, you do not have to worry about dentures or bridges slipping or rubbing. Once the process is complete, your dental implant restoration will be just as comfortable, if not more so, than you original teeth.

Your implant can improve your overall oral health. Because your dentist will be able to size your dental implant to the space it needs to go in, they will not have to reduce any of your surrounding teeth as they would have to do to install a bridge. Because they are not altering these teeth, they will have better long-term prognosis for retention. Your implant will also allow you to floss between the teeth on either side of the implant which will help you to maintain and improve your oral hygiene.

Talk to your dentist to see if a dental implant may be the answer to replace any veneers that you need to remove. They will be able to examine you and give you advice based on your specific case. For more information, contact companies like Samuel D Knight, DDS.