Let’s talk about Veneers – the pros and cons of Dental Veneers.
You’re likely to be reading this because you’re not thrilled with your smile. You see others out there who have radiant, shiny smiles and feel that your smile is not up to par.
Perhaps you try and smile without showing your teeth, you cover your mouth with your hand whenever you can, or if you’re a bloke, perhaps you have grown facial hair to hide your smile?
If whitening treatments have left you disappointed, or if you have chipped, broken, worn or discoloured teeth, if your teeth are too small or too pointed – or in some other way misshapen, dental veneers may be your solution.
Dental veneers are a great option for someone who doesn’t have extensive damage to their teeth but wants to perfect their natural smile in a relatively non-invasive way.
Veneers are a permanent investment, so it’s sensible to be well informed before heading down this route. In the end, you want your veneers to give you a confident, healthy-looking, natural smile that you’ll be happy to wear with pride every day.
Your dentist can talk to you about your options for veneers depending on your specific needs; how you want your smile to look, what needs to be rectified, your budget, and so on. It may be that your dentist recommends another alternative to veneers that may be better suited to your situation – it’s always a good idea to do your research and consult a professional before you make a final decision.
What are Dental Veneers Exactly?
Dental Veneers are thin porcelain or composite ‘shells’ that are placed over the front of your teeth. They will look like natural teeth (only considerably improved) and give you that radiant smile you’ve always wanted.
What do Dental Veneers Look Like?
The colour, shape and general size of your existing teeth can be modified with Veneers, they will be made to look as if they belong with your other teeth though, so they look natural in your mouth. They’ll be designed to correct any shape, gaps, chip, discolouration or wear that exists on your natural teeth. The veneers will be carefully designed to look realistic in your mouth – care will be taken to match the colour, size and shape so the aesthetic is just right for you.
What’s the process?
After a thorough examination and assessment, your dentist will superficially remove a miniscule amount of enamel from the tooth surface. It’s just a fine layer of your tooth and won’t compromise the tooth’s health in general.
While it may not be necessary to process every tooth, you and your dentist may decide to treat adjacent teeth for uniformity, so that all your teeth look like they belong together.
Your dentist will make you temporary veneers to try out before permanently applying your final veneers. This is so that you can ‘test drive’ your new smile while your permanent veneers are being made. We need to be sure that your temporaries look and feel the way you want before your practitioner cements your final veneers.
Will I have my new veneers straight away?
No, as mentioned, you’ll have a temporary solution in place while your veneers are being made. You’ll look fine in the interim, but it does take 2 weeks to get your new smile made and ready to be cemented.
Once your new Veneers are cemented get ready to show off your new radiant, confident smile to the world!
Are there different types of Dental Veneers?
Yes, there are different types of Veneers that can be used depending on the extent of the issue you have with your existing teeth. The right material for you will depend on your teeth and what you are wanting to correct.
Porcelain Veneers are considered the best option for stain resistance and mimicking the reflective quality of natural teeth. Because porcelain has similar properties to the teeth’s natural enamel, these veneers will look natural and realistic. Porcelains glass-like quality means it is resistant to staining from foods such as red wine and coffee. (Yay!) With porcelain, there is minimal preparation needed on your natural teeth, also, porcelain is durable and will last 15-20 years when properly looked after.
Porcelain veneers may be the choice for your smile makeover if:
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- You want a lasting highly aesthetic improvement to your smile.
- You don’t like the colour, shape, and positioning of your smile.
- You want a whiter smile.
- You want a minimally invasive procedure, with a great aesthetic.
Composite Veneers are less expensive than porcelain and can be used in many restorative applications. Composite Veneers don’t have the same longevity as porcelain, however, your dentist will make a recommendation according to your requirements for which is the more appropriate material for your situation.
All Sounds good – what’s the downside?
While the appearance of Dental veneers is very realistic, there is no getting away from the fact that they are artificial. If you’re looking for a completely natural solution, dental veneers are not for you.
Porcelain veneers are an investment. The cost for veneers is around $2000 per tooth. While porcelain is durable, if you do have any breakage through sport or due to bruxism, for example, the veneer may need a costly replacement.
There is sometimes an issue of tooth sensitivity after the removal of the natural tooth enamel. Sensitivity usually resolves in the first couple of weeks. Make sure to discuss any concerns with your dentist.
You may just not be a candidate for veneers. If you have unhealthy teeth or have other health issues, if there is not enough existing enamel, if you have periodontal disease or as mentioned you are a bruxer, your dentist may recommend that veneers will not be the best solution in your case.
How do I find out if Dental Veneers will work for me?
The best way to find out if Veneers will solve your particular problem is to consult with your dentist.
Have a frank and thorough conversation with your practitioner, explain your optimum result and together you can work out how best to achieve a fantastic result.
If you want to know more please get in contact today.