Everyone wants their smile to look as perfect and dazzling as possible, which is why your cosmetic dentist in Roselle Park offers so many different treatments to help you achieve just that. But what if you’ve already had some dental work done, such as dental implants? Will it stop you from getting the cosmetic treatment you want? Here’s what you need to know about using porcelain veneers to enhance a smile that’s already been repaired by dental implants.
What’s a Dental Implant?
An implant is a metal post that serves as the root for a replacement tooth. It’s surgically placed in the jaw and joins with the bone in a natural process that lasts for several months. Once it’s been integrated successfully, the dentist in Roselle Park can attach a crown. Because the implant post is below the gumline, no one will see the metal parts; all they’ll see is the natural-looking crown that’s designed to resemble your other teeth. This makes it an excellent way to fill in empty space in your mouth while letting you eat and talk normally again.
What’s a Porcelain Veneer?
Unlike implants that replace teeth, porcelain veneers improve the appearance of a natural tooth that’s still in the mouth. A thin shell is bonded to the front of the tooth, thus covering up flaws such as discoloration, cracks and small gaps. Like crowns, veneers are designed to match your natural teeth; the casual observer won’t even notice that you’ve had dental work done. As an added benefit, veneers that are made of porcelain won’t stain as easily.
Can Veneers and Implants Be Used Together?
Every patient’s situation is unique, so the types of restorations and treatments they can and can’t get will be different. In general, if you already have a crown supported by an implant, you can still get porcelain veneers for your remaining teeth; when used in combination with each other, veneers and implants can give you a grin you can be confident in.
Can a veneer be placed over the crown itself? The answer is yes, but more often than not there’s not much point. Crowns can be replaced (and in fact are likely to need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years due to natural wear and tear), so placing a veneer over them probably won’t be the most cost-effective solution. That said, veneers can still be placed on any of your natural teeth.
Whether a tooth is misshapen, damaged or gone altogether, the first step will always be to schedule a consultation with your dentist. They’ll explain your various options and help you pick the one most suited for your situation. Make sure you’re extremely clear on what you’re looking for and have realistic expectations. When it comes restoring your smile, it’s important to keep an open mind – sometimes the perfect procedure will actually involve more than one treatment!
About the Practice
At Roselle Park Dental and Implants has five doctors on staff; in addition to two general dentists, we also have an implant dentist, an orthodontist, and a pediatric dentist. This lets us provide a wide variety of services from porcelain veneers to dental implants. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (908) 620-5188.