Can you get veneers with missing teeth? This is a common misconception that prevents some patients with gaps or long-term missing teeth from considering veneers as an option. When crafted expertly by an experienced cosmetic dentist, So Yes, it is possible to get dental veneers even if you have missing teeth, though certain factors need to be considered:
Veneers work best when the number of missing teeth is small, such as one or two. They may not be suitable for extensive multi-tooth gaps. The dentist needs adjacent teeth on both sides of the gap to help “camouflage” it with veneers.
Broader gaps may require implants, bridges or dentures instead. If only front teeth are missing, veneers can reshape neighboring teeth with customized contours to fill in the space optically. Back tooth gaps are harder to conceal.
Bone level around missing tooth sites must be sufficient to eventually support a temporary or permanent replacement like an implant if desired later on. A esthetic evaluation by the dentist determines if veneers alone can provide a natural appearance. Digital scans allow realistic mockups. Costs are higher than for fully tooth veneers since additional procedures like temporaries may be involved over implants.
Table of Contents
- Veneers vs. implants for missing teeth
- can you get veneers with missing teeth
- Do veneers hurt
- Do dentists recommend veneers with missing teeth
- 3 Options to consider for replacing missing teeth
- Key takeaways
Veneers vs. implants for missing teeth
For patients missing one or two small front teeth, either dental veneers or implants can be viable options for restoration. Veneers involve bonding strong ceramic facing onto the teeth adjacent to the gap to subtly reshape them and close the space optically. This approach doesn’t require tooth extractions and can often be placed in just one or two visits, making it more immediately convenient and affordable.
However, veneers alone may not yield as natural looking or feeling a result as implants if the gap between teeth is quite noticeable. Dental surgically replace the missing tooth’s root by fusing a post into the jawbone below the gumline to fuse with over months. Then, a custom crown is attached appearing like the original tooth. While implants usually better disguise larger voids, they are a more involved process that necessitates implant placement surgery and longer healing times compared to veneers.
Both can achieve excellent cosmetic outcomes, so a consultation with a dentist is best to determine if veneers or implants make the most sense considering an individual’s unique situation, budget, and expected result.
can you get veneers with missing teeth
Can we get veneers with missing teeth? Yes, in some cases it is possible to get veneers even if you have a missing teeth.
- Veneers can work if only 1-2 smaller teeth are missing, usually front teeth.
- The bone level and adjacent teeth on both sides of the gap need to be adequate to anchor veneers.
- An experienced dentist may be able to recontour neighboring veneers to optically mask a small space.
- Larger gaps involving multiple teeth are generally not suitable for veneers alone.
- Veneers may not provide as natural a look/bite as other options like bridges or implants for replacing multiple teeth.
- It depends on an evaluation of the individual clinical situation by the treating dentist.
Do veneers hurt
Not really. While getting veneers involves some discomfort during preparation and placement, they are not generally described as a painful procedure. Veneers require light filing of enamel which can cause mild sensitivity. Local anesthesia is used. Most patients feel pressure during cementing but not severe pain due to numbing.
You may have temporary sensitivity to hot/cold until the teeth adjust after a few weeks. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually control any discomfort. Subsequent weekly checkups involve adjustments which may cause slight pressure but are brief. Exceptions could be if advanced existing decay requires extensive numbing shots.
while minor prep work and adjustments may feel weird, most people tolerate the treatment well due to anesthetic used. Any pain typically does not last long after and is mild enough to manage with medications if needed. Overall, discomfort from veneers is considered minor for many patients.
Do dentists recommend veneers with missing teeth
Not always. It depends on the individual clinical situation. Veneers are better for small gaps from 1-2 missing front teeth. They need adjacent teeth on both sides for anchoring the veneers. Dentists may use them if bone level and adjacent tooth structure allows masking the space.
Larger gaps or those in back would be harder to conceal with veneers alone. Dentists typically recommend bridges, implants or dentures instead of veneers for extensive multiple tooth loss. Veneers may not provide as natural a look/bite or longevity as replacing the actual missing teeth.
While some dentists can use veneers skillfully for minor single front tooth gaps, they generally do not recommend relying on veneers alone if there are multiple teeth missing or large spaces involved. An exam would help the dentist advise on the best treatment path.
3 Options to consider for replacing missing teeth
When teeth are lost due to factors like decay or gum disease, it creates functional and aesthetic issues. While dentures or going without teeth may have been the only solution in the past, significant advancements now provide multiple excellent options to restore form and function. The three primary methods used by dentists include dental implant, fixed bridges, and removable partial or full dentures. Each involves specific pros and cons to consider.
Dental Implants
Implants are surgically placed titanium posts that fuse with jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots. Once integrated over 3-6 months, an abutment and crown are attached. Permanence . Implants fuse with bone, holding replacement teeth firmly in place for decades if cared for properly.
This stability avoids issues with loose or shifting teeth unlike bridges or dentures. Natural Look and Feel. With proper placement and custom crowns matching neighboring teeth, implants are highly lifelike compared to other options. Chewing strength and sensation also mimic real teeth securely anchored in bone.
Lower Long-Term Costs . Initial costs are higher but implants rarely need replacement unlike crowns on bridges, avoiding future extensive dental work bills. Proper oral care means they last for life barring future injury or excessive wear.
Fixed Dental Bridges
A fixed bridge using crowns to replace one or more missing teeth between anchor teeth is a less invasive solution than implants. The abutment teeth on either side of a space are crowned, and false teeth are secured between them. Less Costly . The average total cost of a 3-unit fixed bridge is typically $2000-$3000 less than implant equivalents, making them more feasible for replacing multiple teeth.
Faster Replacement. Bridges can be installed in 1-2 appointments without additional surgeries once abutment teeth are prepared with crowns.
Low Maintenance . With no additional osseointegration healing phases, bridges may involve slightly less annual cost for professional cleanings than implant restorations.
Tooth Structure Removal. Prepared abutment crowns require healthy existing tooth to be trimmed down for retention, increasing long-term risk of root infections/problems versus implants directly supported by bone.
Varies By Design. Costs and quality of masticatory function depend on bridge layout, number of teeth replaced, and if a cantilever design extends from just one tooth.
Future Work May be Needed. Bridges rely on anchoring teeth which could necessitate root canal or become loose over time, unlike implants securely placed in jawbone. Replacement costs are higher than implant restorations.
Removable Partial and Full Dentures
Dentures are the most affordable way to replace multiple missing teeth with custom plastic or metal palatal plates holding artificial teeth. Partials cover select areas, while full dentures consist of a unified upper and/or lower base.
Inexpensive Option . The estimated average cost of a basic set of dentures is $1000-$3000, a fraction of bridge or implant solutions for extensive tooth loss or entire jaw replacement. Quickly Relines As Needed . Dentures can be easily relined by a dentist every few years as gums shrink. This avoids costs of replacement if fitted properly.
Maintain appearance . For many patients, dentures aid social confidence by filling out the smile versus having only gum tissue show. Look and Feel Very Unnatural . Lack rigid stability versus teeth fused in bone or bridged between surviving counterparts. Constant awareness is needed to prevent slipping. Potential Sores . Loose or poor fits can cause irritation, infection or even gum damage over time versus fixed solutions embedded in hard tissue. Time Consuming Care . Cleaning both dentures and residual gum areas daily requires commitment while not eating with implants or bridges.
Key takeaways
- veneers with missing teeth work to mask small gaps from 1-2 missing front teeth if adjacent teeth firmly anchor them.
- Implants most closely mimic natural teeth but cost more upfront, while bridges and dentures are less expensive options.
- Implants fuse with bone for lifelong stability unlike bridges relying on anchoring teeth or removable dentures.
- Implants and bridges provide a very lifelike replacement compared to the unnatural feel of dentures.
- A dentist exam determines the best solution based on a patient’s unique oral health, budget, and number/location of missing teeth.