Dental Veneers - Procedure, Cost, Advantages, and Disadvantages
What are Dental Veneers?
Wondering how to re-invent your smile? Dental veneers may be the perfect answer. Dental veneers are thin restorations that resemble natural teeth and are bonded to the front teeth. Dental veneers can help address small imperfections in your smile, including stained, misshaped, and chipped teeth. They are often made of either tooth-colored composite or porcelain material.
Dental Veneers Procedure
What happens before dental veneer placement?
The first step before dental veneer placement is to have an initial consultation with your dental professional. They will examine your teeth and determine if you are a candidate for veneers. If you are eligible, they will prepare your teeth for the veneer and may take a dental mold of your teeth. In some cases, temporary veneers will be placed while waiting for the permanent veneers to be fabricated.
What happens during veneer placement?
The process of veneer placement is relatively simple. Your dental professional will check your veneers' shape, color, and fit before cementing them. Once cemented, they will check your bite and make any necessary changes.
Reasons Why People Get Veneers
There are many benefits to having veneers. Many people get veneers to help cover stained teeth or fix chips, misalignment, and gaps between teeth.
Types of Dental Veneers
1. Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers are among the most common dental veneers, as they look very natural. They are a great option for individuals without a history of gum disease.
2. Porcelain-Fused to Metal Veneers
These veneers are typically made from gold alloys and more durable ceramics than porcelain veneers.
3. Resin Veneers
These veneers often require less preparation than porcelain veneers and typically cost less. However, they are more prone to stains and fractures.
4. Zirconia Veneers
Zirconia veneers are strong and ideal for repairing teeth with extensive decay, cracks, and chips. They typically last very long and appear natural-looking.
5. Lumineers Veneers
Lumineers are one of the newer types of composite resin that is thin and natural-looking. These require minimal to no preparation of the teeth.
6. Removable Veneers
Removable veneers are attached over the teeth with small metal posts that fit into the grooves on your teeth.
Dental Veneers Cost
Veneers typically aren’t often covered by most dental insurances as it is often grouped as a cosmetic procedure. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), veneers range from $925 to $2,500 per tooth, depending on the material used and your dentist’s location and expertise.
Advantages of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers have several advantages. Veneers can help cover up stained and chipped teeth, make teeth more aligned, and give you a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile. Most veneers resist stains from common dyes like coffee, tea, fruit juice, and spicy foods. Compared to other dental restorations like crowns, veneers can be relatively affordable. If taken care of properly, veneers can be long-lasting, making their investment worthwhile. The procedure is relatively fast and often requires very little preparation.
Disadvantages of Dental Veneers
As with all things, veneers may have some disadvantages. The placement of dental veneers is a permanent procedure involving the irreversible removal of some of the tooth enamel. In some cases, individuals may experience tooth sensitivity. They may also not be able to restore extensively damaged teeth. In comparison to dental crowns, veneers tend to have a shorter lifespan since they are thinner restorations and can be easily prone to damage.
Side Effects of Dental Veneers
Although side effects of dental veneers can be rare, some issues that could arise for various reasons include tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation, tooth trauma, tooth decay, or symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Are Veneers Permanent or Removable?
The most common veneers are permanent restorations, but there is also an option to have removable veneers placed. If you have traditional veneers, they are designed to be permanently fixed to your teeth but will require continuous maintenance by your dental professional. Since traditional veneers require irreversible removal of tooth enamel, dental veneers are considered permanent.
How to Take Care of Your Veneers After They Are Placed?
Once veneers are placed, taking care of them as you do your natural teeth is extremely important. Brushing twice daily and flossing daily are essential to keeping your veneers healthy. Avoid using your teeth as tools, like chewing on ice, pens, or fingernails. Also, avoid eating hard foods on your front teeth. If you notice you grind your teeth or are actively involved in sports, wear a mouthguard to help protect your smile.
Comparing Dental Veneers
Dental Veneers vs. Crowns
Both dental veneers and crowns help restore teeth for better appearance and function. One of the main differences is that veneers are thin restorations that only cover the front surfaces of teeth, whereas dental crowns cover the entire tooth.
Dental Veneers vs. Bonding
Dental veneers and bonding also both treat cosmetic imperfections of the teeth. However, dental bonding is often ideal in instances where only small changes are desired, while dental veneers are beneficial for more extensive scenarios of dental problems like tooth discoloration and fractured teeth.
Dental Veneers vs. Laminates
Dental veneers and laminates can both help improve the appearance of teeth. Both involve a thin layer of material attached to the teeth to help improve the tooth's color, size, and shape. The difference is the material and costs.
