- Veneers and dentures are two distinct types of dental treatments.
- A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or resin placed on the front part of a tooth. Typically, dentists use them to correct cosmetic problems.
- You can have dentures even when most of your teeth in the dental arch are missing. Their primary function is to address tooth loss.
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Should you choose dentures or veneers if you want to improve your smile? Here's everything you need to know.
How to compare veneers versus dentures?
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Harry Lee, DMD, admits: "In my practice, there is sometimes confusion between veneers and dentures, but they are solutions to two completely different problems."
When comparing the differences between veneers and dentures, consider who is a good candidate for each, the processes involved, and the final result.
Keep your own situation in mind as you review each of these considerations.
Candidate profile
If you can restore your natural teeth, veneers are a better option. Dentists do not like to extract teeth unless it is necessary because the replacement option is not typically as good as your natural teeth. So, if your teeth can be restored with a veneer, crown, or filling, you would be a better candidate for veneers.
However, if your teeth are beyond repair, dentures are a better solution. Complete dentures replace an entire arch of teeth, while partial dentures replace some of the teeth.
If you are missing all of the teeth within the arch, dentures are your only option. If you still have some remaining teeth, you are also a candidate for snap-on veneers that both replace the missing teeth and cover the natural teeth to give you a beautiful smile.
Process
The process to get dental veneers or dentures requires about the same amount of time. A professional dental lab near you can produce both types of fake dentition.
If you are getting veneers, your dentist will need to shape the teeth so that the veneers can fit over them. Very little tooth structure needs to be removed, and in some cases, it may not need to be removed at all. Once any adjustments have been made, impressions are taken and then sent to the dental laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers. You will return to the office a few weeks later to have the veneers placed.
If you are getting dentures, you will also need to have impressions taken. Once the lab has fabricated the dentures, you will return to try them in. Unlike veneers, you may need to make several trips back to your dentist to adjust the dentures for a proper fit. If you are pairing dental implants with your dentures, the entire process will take an additional several months.
Appearance
Veneers will give you a more natural-looking smile than dentures. The reason is that you do not have to replace any of the gum tissue if you get veneers. They will cover the crown portion of your tooth only and will sit right on top of your gum tissue, making them look identical to your natural teeth.
Many dentures have a natural appearance; however, some people may notice a slight difference in the gum tissue. Additionally, dentures can alter the shape of your face over time, resulting in a sunken facial structure.
The type of material you choose for either option will affect how natural they look.
Veneers are often made of porcelain, which resembles the appearance of your natural teeth. Composite veneers do not look as good. Dentures are often made of acrylic or composite material, which gives them a dull or flat appearance similar to natural teeth. Porcelain crowns on dentures are a more expensive option, but have a more natural result.
Care
You will need to take good care of your dentures or veneers to ensure their longevity. The nice thing about veneers is that you can brush and floss them as you do your other teeth. You will not need to remove them at night.
Dentures, on the other hand, require more selective care. You will need to clean your dentures each night and soak them in water or a denture cleanser.
Lifespan
The lifespan of veneers and dentures largely depends on how well you take care of them.
Since your natural teeth are still present with veneers, they can get tooth decay. As long as you practice good oral hygiene at home, a permanent veneer can last for many years.
Because your bone can change over time, dentures often need to be replaced every few years - more frequently than veneers do.
Veneers vs. dentures cost
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Most dentures cost between $1,800 and $4,000 per arch. Implant-retained dentures cost much more.
The cost for one veneer is between $1,000 and $2,000.
If you have dental insurance, your cost will be different. Most dental plans help cover the cost of dentures, but fewer will cover the cost of veneers, as they are considered a form of cosmetic dentistry.
Dentures vs veneers: pros and cons summary
There are several pros and cons to consider when comparing dentures and veneers. Dentures are the better option if you need to replace several missing teeth, but veneers are a good alternative if you want to change the appearance of your existing teeth.
Conventional dentures are easier and often less expensive to replace should you need new ones. However, one of the drawbacks of dentures is that they may not last as long as some veneers. Neither option will stain easily if adequately cared for.
Veneers are often the faster treatment, especially because they do not need adjustments once they are placed. Dentures have a more extended healing period and recovery time, and can take significantly longer to get accustomed to.
Dentures can cause dental health problems if not maintained, but they cannot decay like veneers can. Still, you will need to practice good oral hygiene with either solution.
FAQ
Are veneers better than dentures?
If you can keep your natural, healthy teeth, porcelain veneers are a better option for people than a removable denture. They can even be used to fix your crooked teeth.
However, if your teeth need to be extracted or you have had extensive tooth loss, dentures are the better treatment option.
Are snap-on veneers good alternative to partial dentures?
As long as your remaining teeth are healthy, snap-on veneers can be a good alternative to partial dentures. Snap-on veneers can serve as a replacement tooth or enhance the appearance of a natural tooth.
Harry Lee, DMD
The simplest way I can explain it is with a home renovation analogy. Think of your natural teeth as the foundation and structure of a house. Veneers are like putting beautiful new siding on a structurally sound house. You are not changing the foundation; you are just dramatically improving the home's cosmetic appearance. Veneers are an option only when you have healthy teeth to support them. They are bonded to the front of your existing teeth to change their color, shape, or size. Dentures, on the other hand, are what you need when the original teeth are gone. They are a complete replacement, a brand-new prefabricated structure that you bring in to fill the space. Dentures are designed for individuals who have lost their natural teeth, and their primary purpose is to restore the basic functions of chewing and speaking.