Dentures vs Veneers: What’s the best option for your needs?

Table of Contents

Dentures vs veneers, which one would be better for you if you want a dazzling, beautiful, and healthy smile? We are here to help you understand the two procedures so you can choose what’s best for you. Dentures and veneers are popular restorative and cosmetic dental procedures performed to treat several minor and major dental issues. These may include chipped or missing teeth, large gaps between teeth, weak teeth, sagging jaw structure due to bone loss, etc. Not everyone is suitable for veneers or dentures, which is why it is important to know the difference between the two. 

The two dental procedures have different procedures, purposes as well as prices. In this article we will differentiate between them and help you decide the one more suitable for you:

Veneers vs Dentures: What are the key differences between them?

Dentures and veneers are two completely different dental treatments. They are corrective treatments for several mild and serious dental issues. Here are the key differences in terms of their purpose, procedure, longevity, etc. so that you can understand which veneers and types of dentures would be better for you:

Differences in Purpose:

  • Dentures are artificial replacement teeth that replace the entire tooth whereas veneers only cover a part of your tooth.
  • Dentures are for restoration of your teeth structure when people lose their teeth due to extensive damage. On the other hand, veneers only cover minor cosmetic issues such as stains, gaps, discolored or crooked teeth. 

Differences in process and application time:

  • Dentures have an invasive procedure because of teeth extraction whereas veneer have a semi-invasive procedure, requiring minimal enamel buffing.
  • During the process of dentures, anesthesia is a requirement however, for veneers it is optional.
  • The application time for dentures is much longer than veneers. Both partial dentures and complete dentures can take 3-4 months while porcelain veneers only take 3-4 weeks.

The difference in longevity and survival rate:

  • Porcelain partial dentures and complete dentures last for at least 10-15 years. Composite conventional dentures last for only 5 years. On the other hand, porcelain permanent veneers last for 10 to 15 years and simple composite veneers last for only 5 years. 

The pros and cons

Dentures can give you a whole new smile and so can veneer but in a different way. Here are all the benefits and drawbacks of dentures and veneers so you can compare them and make your decision:

Benefits of Dentures and Veneers:

  • Dentures provide you brand new teeth if you lost them for some reason or because of excessive damage. On the other hand, veneers give your teeth a new exterior by hiding the front part of your teeth in case they have dark stains or are discolored. 
  • Dentures help restore and balance the structure of your teeth in case you lost your teeth. Veneers enhance the appearance of teeth and give you a beautiful smile.
  • Dentures can be customized and have three types, partial, full, and permanent. Veneers can also be customized according to the patient’s needs.
  • Dentures including removable dentures are easy to replace except the implant-supported ones. Veneers are also available in removable versions such as snap-ons. 
  • Dentures are cheaper than dental implants and don’t need frequent replacement. Traditional porcelain veneers are cost-effective and long-lasting. 
  • A high-quality porcelain denture is stain-resistant and doesn’t damage easily. Traditional porcelain veneers too cannot stain very easily. 
  • Dentures give additional support to your jaw bone and facial structure by giving them a lift. Veneers also enhance your facial features by improving your smile dramatically. 

Downsides of having dentures and veneers:

  • The dental procedure of dentures can take a long time because your teeth are extracted and then 3-4 months are needed for the gums to heal. Veneers too can take almost a month because of extensive tooth preparation. 
  • Dentures are hard to maintain especially removable dentures because you have to clean them after meals. Porcelain veneers are sensitive because they can stain easily so one has to be extra careful. 
  • If dentures don’t fit the right way they can cause gum disease and other dental issues. Veneers too can cause tooth decay if food enters the space between the veneer and tooth. 

Which one is better for you and why?

Choosing between dentures and dental veneers depends a lot on the situation of the patient. Dentures are more suitable for people who experience dental issues such as excessive dental decay that may require tooth extraction. Irreparable damage or tooth loss resulting from an injury or trauma can also lead to the need for dentures.

They are essentially a new set of artificial teeth that replace your real teeth. The reason for dentures may differ for everyone so it is important to discuss this option thoroughly with your dentist. They can help you decide which one would suit you better and your dental health. 

On the contrary, veneers are used for cosmetic reasons and to treat minor dental issues for healthy teeth. The main purpose of veneers is to hide dental flaws but dentures are more useful when the structure of the tooth is compromised. To decide which one would be better in your situation, you must discuss your case with your dentist. A professional dentist should be able to guide you in a way that you pick the best option for optimum oral health. 

Which one is more expensive?

When we talk about veneers vs dentures we need to know they have different technologies, hence their prices may also differ. Dentures have different prices based on the number of veneers and whether it is a partial or full (dental implant-supported) denture. The material of the denture also impacts the price. On the other hand, the pricing of veneers depends on their material and type of veneer.

Veneers tend to be more expensive but also more aesthetic and more advanced in technologies.

FAQs on veneers vs dentures

Are veneers and dentures the same thing?

No, veneers and dentures are two very different dental procedures. Dental veneers are perfect to enhance one’s smile by hiding dental issues. Dentures on the other hand are artificial teeth taking the place of natural teeth when an extraction occurred. Therefore, it is better to identify your dental issues and discuss them further with your dentist to choose one that suits you more. 

Are veneers better than dentures?

We can’t say which one is better than the other unless we know the patient’s situation. Which one would be more suitable for a patient depends on their dental problems. Veneers are more suitable for people who have minor cosmetic issues such as stains, cracked teeth, discoloration, or misshapen teeth. Dentures are better for people who have extensively damaged teeth impossible to save. In most cases, dentures are needed to replace natural teeth after extraction due to extreme damage. 

Take-away:

Choosing between veneers and dentures requires one to first understand their dental issues. The second step should be to discuss your treatment options and dental solutions with a dentist who can help you decide. Veneers and Dentures serve different purposes and have different processes. Veneers help improve your smile by treating minor cosmetic problems whereas, dentures help fix bigger structural issues. The one you choose eventually depends on how much you want to change your teeth and the intensity of your problems. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CONTACT US

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.