Your smile is the first impression. Your smile is also one of the first features that any person will notice when you open your mouth. But what happens if your tooth needs some minor treatment to make your smile shine? That is precisely where veneer teeth could help to improve your smile. Today veneers are a good option for addressing a range of aesthetic and physical problems with your teeth.
More and more people are opting for veneer teeth these days. They are tooth-colored shells covering your beautiful smile’s front portion. But are they worth the cost? Veneer teeth are custom-made, thin shells that your dentist places on the front of your teeth to improve your appearance. Veneer teeth can hide chipped, stained, and uneven teeth.
For many people, having damaged or discolored teeth can affect their confidence or self-esteem. Veneers can assist you in improving the appearance of such teeth.
In this article, we discuss veneer teeth, their benefits, and the veneer fitting procedure.
What is Veneer Teeth?
Dental veneers, commonly called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are custom-made, wafer-thin shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth.
Mostly made of tooth-colored materials, they improve the appearance of your teeth. The veneers are bonded to the front surface of your teeth, changing the tooth’s shape, size, color, or length.
Note that veneers are custom fittings specifically designed to help hide or correct dental damage, including:
- Decayed tooth.
- Discoloration and stains on your teeth.
- Chips and small missing pieces.
- Crookedness
- Gaps between your teeth.
Veneers can help improve the appearance of your teeth. They are often beneficial if you want a long-term solution to persistent cosmetic concerns. It is especially beneficial for those who do not respond to other dental treatments, like teeth whitening, braces, or retainers.
During the placement process, your dentist will slowly remove a small amount of enamel, your teeth’ thin protective outer covering. It is done so that when your dentist places the veneers, you will not be able to remove them or choose not to use them.
The American Dental Association usually categorizes a veneer as a permanent change. It is indeed true that veneers can correct tooth imperfections, such as stained or chipped teeth.
Veneers are primarily thin composite resin or porcelain coverings bonded to your tooth’s front surface using dental cement. As veneer teeth are a permanent solution, you must get all the info and weigh the pros and cons before getting them.
Note that veneers can allow for both color and shape changes. They can also make your teeth stronger than they were previously. Moreover, they can give a natural look and allow for a true smile makeover.
Veneer Teeth: Pros And Cons
The best part of dental veneer is getting the procedure done in only two visits. The color of your tooth quickly changes, and the porcelain can give you the authentic look of a natural tooth without a stain.
However, the main con is that your teeth sometimes have to be shaped so that it is not a reversible procedure. But you can get a smile makeover with veneers – the smile everyone wants.
Pros – Veneer Teeth
1 Fix Minor Cosmetic Problems
Veneer teeth can successfully fix cracks, chips, gaps between teeth. They can also fix minor discoloration and misalignment. So they can correct many cosmetic dental issues.
Veneers are attached to your front teeth and not the ones behind. They can easily camouflage minor orthodontic problems once your dentist applies them. However, your natural teeth may still be gapped or crooked. But nobody will know besides you and your dentist.
Veneers can not always replace orthodontic procedures. Hence your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist instead of placing veneers.
2 Easily Whiten Your Smile
After consuming years of coffee, smoking cigarettes, or eating highly pigmented foods for years, it might eventually take its toll on your teeth. Thus turning them into an unattractive shade of yellow or brown. If you have stained enamel, you can bleach it at home or by your dentist. But be careful as it may become stained again.
Therefore, looking for an easier way to whiten your smile – veneers may prove to be an excellent option. All types of veneers are mostly stain-resistant. Therefore, you do not have to worry about discoloration or the need to have them whitened.
3 Replace Damaged Enamel
You might be aware that your enamel is firm but not indestructible. Your enamel may be worn down by tooth brushing or eaten away by highly acidic foods and beverages. Excess of stomach acid associated with acid reflux may damage your tooth enamel.
Your damaged enamel can cause concern as your lost enamel does not grow back again. Fortunately, your best option is to replace it using veneers. Therefore, veneers are an excellent treatment for your teeth with enamel abrasion or erosion. And they look great, too.
4 Realistic Appearance
The rise of popularity of veneers is their optical properties. These dental veneers today are made from porcelain. Porcelain is a ceramic with many similar properties to your teeth’s natural covering or enamel.
As a result, porcelain veneers appear natural and realistic. As porcelain is ceramic, therefore it is quite ”glass-like.” Its surfaces are incredibly smooth and hence make it resistant to permanent stains.
Cons – Veneer Teeth
1 High Cost
The price of dental veneers varies widely depending on your location. Other cost variants include your dentist visits and the number of teeth you may want to be restored. But the procedure might be expensive. Note that the average cost of a single veneer tooth may cost between $1,000 to $2,000 because veneers are cosmetic. Moreover, insurance does not cover them.
2 Increased Sensitivity
There are chances you may experience an increase in tooth sensitivity immediately after getting your dental veneers.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry – you may feel sensitivity to hot or cold food for the first few days following your procedure. But usually, it will go away after a few days. Tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but you can manage it with the right products.
3 Veneer Teeth – It Is Irreversible
In order to fit your veneer, your dentist may need to change the structure of your natural teeth. This step is permanent because you can not restore the enamel shaved down by your dentist before placing the dental veneer.
On average, your veneer teeth last for about 10 years. Also, keep in mind that your veneer teeth would eventually need replacement after a few years. You can opt for a different restoration option to take their place at that time.
4 You may not be a candidate
If you have unhealthy teeth, then you are not a good candidate. Especially those with decay active periodontal disease, are not you are not suitable for the dental veneer.
Moreover, if you have weakened teeth (resulting from decay, fracture, or large dental fillings), veneers may not be suitable. Moreover, if you have an inadequate amount of existing enamel on the tooth surface or suffer from bruxism, your dentist may suggest not to opt for this procedure.
Why Opt for Teeth Veneers
Until recently, your dentist would remove a very thin layer of enamel to place the veneers. Many individuals do not want that. Over the last decade, you may have seen the introduction of very attractive prepless dental veneers. These either require minimal or no tooth grinding. The procedure is quite simple, and you would be thrilled with the results.
Veneers, if done properly, could be quite natural-looking and beautiful. It can quickly correct your chipped, worn, discolored, or fractured teeth. However, many factors come into play when determining if you are the right candidate for veneers.
Veneer designs could vary widely. Their designs can also be softened or could be more natural. If you consider veneer teeth, you should first choose a design that fits your personality.
Importantly, if you are considering dental veneers you should ask many questions. Probably because veneers can be expensive and are permanent. So you should be extra careful while deciding on your perfect smile.
Veneer teeth are an amazing way to improve your smile. In just two weeks, your dentist will place a thin layer of porcelain to cover your front teeth to lengthen your short teeth. Veneers can also repair your broken or chipped teeth or improve the color of your teeth.
In just two visits, your smile can be changed completely, lasting for a long. If your healthy tooth surfaces are relatively straight, your dentist will remove or alter very little tooth structure from your teeth.
In many cases, some reduction in tooth structure is required for the best result. The only con you need to understand is that it is an irreversible process. In the real scenario, it has been observed that it is extremely rare for individuals to remove the dental veneers so that they can go back to the way they looked before the procedure ever started.
Final Thoughts
You need to remember an important rule. The health of your back teeth actually determines the health of your front teeth. Therefore, only your dentist will evaluate your bite first before considering veneers. Most of the time, your dentist may also customize the veneer to fit your facial style and symmetry.
Veneer teeth are indeed a perfect way to hide discolored, damaged, or crooked teeth. But it is also essential to consider the pros and cons that come with it before you decide on getting them. So make an appointment today with your dentist to find out if veneers are the right solution for improving confidence in your smile.
