Are you holding back on your smile because you don’t like the appearance of your teeth? It may be because your teeth are discolored, broken or misaligned. Dental veneers – also called porcelain veneers – may be the answer. Before you move forward, it is important to understand the pros and cons of veneers.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made, very thin shells made from porcelain or resin composite materials. The shells are bonded to the front of teeth. The result is a fresh smile with teeth that appear to have a bright, natural finish and with uniform sizes and shapes.
What are Some of the Pros of Dental Veneers?
There are many benefits to veneers. For one, dental veneers are a great way to reclaim your smile. Your dentist will work closely with you to plan your smile makeover, including choosing the desired color and shape. The goal is to fix specific issues and produce a natural-looking smile that doesn’t alter your bite or how your mouth functions.
You don’t need to cover all your teeth to get good results. Many people choose only tocorrect broken teeth or front teeth.
Unlike getting a crown, veneers require minimal shaving of teeth, usually only about a .5-millimeter reduction to accommodate the veneer.
Veneers do not require any special maintenance. You continue to brush, floss and rinse just as you did before. And, because veneers are stain resistant, you don’t need to worry about the effects of coffee, tea or wine.
What are Some of the Cons of Dental Veneers?
Veneers are attached to teeth with bonding cement. About half of veneer recipients are sensitive and feel a reaction between their teeth and the bonding cement. The issue should abate over time. Your gums are also likely to require some time for healing after the procedure.
Because veneers are custom made based on an impression of your teeth, they are expensive. A full set of veneers can easily cost at least $10k and up. The cost typically isn’t covered by dental insurance. Be sure to take a look at our article on dental insurance tips. It’s important to know the specifics of your policy to make sure you’re getting the most out of the benefit!
Veneers do not last forever. At some point, likely 10 to 15 years down the road, you will need to replace them.
The teeth under the veneers are still susceptible to decay and may require treatment the necessitates the removal of the shell.
Making A Decision
After reviewing the pros and cons of veneers, you likely still have some questions about what’s the right decision for you. Ask your veneers dentist to talk to you about the procedure, review costs and evaluate your teeth. Then you’ll be able to make a knowledgeable decision about whether an investment in your smile is a good choice for you.
