Dental Veneers – The Pros and Cons

Veneers are a great cosmetic treatment option for people with stained, chipped, crooked or misshaped teeth. But before a person decides to get veneers, they should consider the pros and cons.

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Dental veneers are thin coverings that can conceal a wide range of tooth imperfections. They can lengthen shortened teeth, close spaces, fix dark spots and cover stains that won’t respond to tooth whitening.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers can be used to alter the shape, colour and size of teeth. They can be custom designed to work within a person’s mouth and give them a beautiful smile that is uniquely their own.

They can hide minor imperfections such as stains, chips and gaps without having to reshape the tooth itself. A set of porcelain veneers can last up to 10-15 years if they are well cared for.

Recovery from this type of procedure can be mild. People might experience sensitivity to hot and cold or mild soreness. They should brush and floss as usual to keep their veneers healthy.

Veneers are not a good choice for people who grind and clench their teeth, since the extra pressure can cause them to chip and fracture. It is a good idea to get a preventative night splint or retainer if this is a problem. Also, it is a good idea to avoid biting down on pens, nails or ice, and using your teeth to open packages. Your dentist can advise you of other ways to protect your veneers.

Composite Resin Veneers

Unlike porcelain veneers, which require hours of work at an offsite lab, composite resin can be fabricated and placed during the same visit. During your appointment, with your input, we’ll select and sculpt the tooth-shaded resin directly on your teeth to build the veneer that fits your smile. After shaping it, we’ll use a high-intensity light to harden it before smoothing and polishing it for a natural appearance.

The biggest advantage of composite veneers is their reversibility. Because minimal prep work is involved, they can be removed and replaced if needed. This also means they’re a less expensive option than traditional porcelain.

However, the fact that they are a more porous material makes them more susceptible to staining and discoloration over time. They also need to be properly cared for (like your other teeth) to keep them looking their best. You can protect your investment by brushing them twice a day, flossing daily, and eliminating bad habits like smoking or using your teeth to open things. You should also schedule regular dental visits and wear a mouth guard at night to prevent tooth grinding, which can damage the surface of your veneers.

No-Prep Veneers

No-prep veneers can be a great option for patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile without extensive dental work. They’re ideal for patients who have a healthy tooth structure and are dealing with discoloration, slight crookedness or misalignment, moderate spacing or sizing issues, or mildly chipped teeth. The dentist will minimally prepare the tooth surface by lightly scoring or etching it to help the veneer bond.

Like traditional veneers, no-prep veneers can conceal several different cosmetic issues to produce a brighter, more attractive smile. However, they may not be a good fit for some patients who have more significant aesthetic issues that would require more intensive treatment such as a dental crown or tooth reshaping.

No-prep veneers are thin porcelain coverings that can be bonded directly to the front surface of a tooth without removing any enamel. They’re available in three brands: Lumineers, DURAthin and Vivaneers. To preserve your veneers, the dentist recommends limiting certain foods that can stain them such as red wine, coffee and darkly colored sodas. You should also avoid biting or chewing hard objects and using your teeth as tools to open packages.

Bonding

Unlike porcelain veneers, which require the removal of some enamel and are not reversible, composite bonding requires little or no tooth preparation, making it a fast and cost-efficient way to correct cosmetic imperfections. It is typically used to address smaller chips, teeth gaps, and discoloration. The dentist chooses a resin that best matches the color of the natural tooth, and applies and hardens it with ultraviolet light. The procedure can be completed in just one visit, and the results may last a few years before need of touchups or replacement.

Like the natural teeth you were born with, your veneers will need daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque and keep your gum tissues healthy. You will also need to attend regular dental checkups and cleanings to maintain good oral health. In addition, you should avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or biting into ice or hard foods, and you should wear a night guard if you are a clencher or grinder. The dentist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate care for your teeth and veneers.

Consultation

Veneers do not affect the overall structure of a tooth or gums, making them less invasive than other cosmetic treatment options such as dental crowns. However, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution, so it is important to choose an experienced cosmetic dentist who will listen to your ambitions and help you achieve them while maintaining your unique smile and facial quirks.

During a consultation, your dentist will evaluate your dental health and inform you of all available treatment options. Then, they will work with you to decide on the most appropriate veneer material for your needs and aesthetic preferences.

On the day of the procedure, your dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from each tooth to make sure that the veneer will fit comfortably and not obstruct the bite. Then, they will take a putty impression of each tooth to create a mold for the lab to custom-craft your veneers. This process typically takes two to three visits, depending on your needs. During the procedure, patients will experience no pain due to numbness.