Pros And Cons of Dental Veneers

Veneers are a good option for chipped, broken, or stained teeth. However, like every other dental restoration, there are relevant pros and cons of dental veneers. It's better to know them before availing of the treatment to make an informed decision.  

You might wonder whether veneers are worth it and if they hide imperfections in your smile. Generally speaking, patients with ample tooth enamel are suitable for dental veneers. So, if you have it and want to fix minor cosmetic flaws, dental veneers are good to consider.  

There is no doubt that dental veneers have significant advantages and help restore smiles and cover up cosmetic problems. They give you a natural-looking smile and instant results. However, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of dental veneers is essential to assess if they are your right choice. For this purpose, this article will discuss the pros and cons of dental veneers so you can discuss them with your dentist in advance. 

"Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment gaining great prominence worldwide. The estimates reveal a remarkable 67% increase in requests for this dental treatment recently. People are more self-conscious today and strive for a confident smile". 

Dental Veneers: Quick Overview 

Dental veneers are custom-made shells to cover the front surfaces of affected teeth. They help conceal stains, chips, cracks, and other minor cosmetic flaws and give instant results. Veneers use high-quality materials such as porcelain and are customized to match the shade color of the patient's teeth. Today, dental veneers comprise different types depending on the dental material used. Some of these are: 

• Porcelain Veneers 
• Composite Veneers 
• Ceramic Veneers 
• Zirconium Veneers 
• Palatal Veneers 

The lifespan of dental veneers is generally reasonable. They can last for about a decade or even more, on average. For instance, the average lifespan of porcelain veneers is between ten and twenty years. However, with the proper care and dental hygiene maintenance, dental veneers can last many years without discoloration or breakages. 

What are the Reasons for Getting Dental Veneers? 

There are different reasons to consider getting veneer treatment. Here are five instances where choosing veneers is worth considering. 

• Hiding permanent stains. 
• Protecting cracked or chipped teeth. 
• Discolored teeth that don't respond to professional teeth whitening. 
• Your Teeth are uneven or oddly shaped. 
• You have minor teeth alignment issues. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Dental Veneers 

Knowing their uses, benefits, and risks is essential as a candidate for dental veneers. Doing so will help you make an informed decision about your oral health care in consultation with your dentist. Let's explore the pros and cons of dental veneers in more detail.   

Veneers Pros 

1. Stain-Resistant: The material used to make dental veneers resists staining, which means they can maintain their natural-looking white color for years. One can enjoy foods without worrying about discoloration. 

1. Long-Lasting: Dental veneers are a durable and long-lasting solution for improving the appearance of your teeth. Veneers provide a stable solution to withstand the daily wear and tear of chewing and biting. They can last for up to 10-15 years with proper care. 

1. Durable: Dental veneers are made of high-quality materials designed to withstand normal wear and tear, making them a durable solution for improving the appearance of your teeth. Moreover, they resist damage from acidic drinks and foods, which may weaken the teeth. 

1. Instant Results: Dental veneers can provide instant results by quickly covering up stains, chips, and other cosmetic flaws in your teeth, giving you a brighter and more confident smile. You can attain an ideal smile in just a few dental appointments. 

1. Natural-Looking White: Dental veneers mimic your teeth' natural color and transparency, giving you a white, healthy-looking smile that looks completely natural. Dental veneers are customized shells that match your teeth' color to provide a natural-looking smile. 

1. Replaces Damaged Tooth Enamel: Dental veneers can replace damaged tooth enamel, which can help protect your teeth from further damage and decay. You can achieve better dental health by availing of dental veneers. 

1. Fixes Minor Cosmetic Flaws: Dental veneers offer an effective solution for fixing minor cosmetic flaws in your teeth, such as chips, cracks, gaps, or uneven teeth. They can also help set the size of teeth that are too small or misshapen and improve their shape for a better smile. 

1. Ease of Shaping: Dental veneers are easy to shape and customize according to your needs. Dental veneers provide a fast solution for your specific dental needs and give a natural-looking result. Your dentist will create a customized solution that perfectly fits your teeth and improves your smile.   

1. Improved Appearance: Dental veneers can help improve teeth' appearance by covering up discolorations, stains, or chips. They can also help make teeth look straighter and more even, giving you a more attractive smile. Veneers provide a great restoration option for discoloration that other dental methods cannot achieve. 

1. Smile Restoration: Dental veneers can help restore your smile and improve your psychological well-being. In doing so, you can have improved self-esteem, a better social life, and an elevated level of happiness. 

Veneers Cons 

1. Costly: The cost of dental veneers is generally expensive. It's because veneers require specialized equipment and materials to create, which can drive the price. Secondly, the procedure requires advanced dentist expertise, from tooth preparation to veneer placement. Therefore, it is costly, and many people need help.   

1. Prone to Damage: Dental veneers are durable but prone to damage from biting hard foods or grinding teeth. If you have a habit of teeth grinding or clenching, it can cause wear and tear on dental veneers and put additional costs on you. Moreover, taking care of dental veneers is also essential such as avoiding hard foods such as candies, caramels, tough meats, etc. Damaged dental veneers require replacement to perform their function efficiently. 

1. Irreversible Process: Dental veneers require removing a small amount of tooth enamel. It is irreversible; the tooth requires a dental veneer or any other suitable dental restoration. 

1. Teeth Sensitivity: Some people may experience increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures after getting veneers. The sensitivity can go away with time, but it can make the patient uncomfortable in the short term. 

1. Shorter Lifespan: Dental veneers generally have a good lifespan with the proper care. However, they always need to provide a permanent solution and can damage with time. Damaged or chipped veneers will require replacement and may cost the patient more. 

1. Not Everyone is a Candidate: Everyone needs to avail of dental veneers. Patients with extensive gum disease, tooth decay, or other dental issues are unsuitable candidates for veneers. Similarly, it is not an option for patients who grind their teeth or bite their nails.  

Are Dental Veneers Worth It? 

Veneers give you a beautiful smile but can be expensive and require maintenance. If you are looking for a long-term solution for improving the appearance of your teeth and are willing to invest in the maintenance cost, then dental veneers may be worth it.  

Whether dental veneers are suitable depends on your unique situation and goals. Talking to your dentist about your goals and expectations is vital to determine if veneers are the best option. 

Final Words 

Dental veneers offer several benefits, including stain resistance, long-lasting results, and the ability to fix minor cosmetic flaws. They can provide a natural-looking, white smile and replace damaged tooth enamel, improving the overall appearance of teeth. However, some drawbacks are also to consider, including the cost, potential for damage, irreversible process, and tooth sensitivity.  

Therefore, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of dental veneers carefully and schedule a meeting with your dentist beforehand. Doing so will help you determine if veneers are the right choice for your needs and goals.

Contact your Walnut Creek Dentist, Dr. Tiziana Procopio Towle, DDS at Procopio Towle Dental Office, to learn more about the Pros And Cons of Dental Veneers.

Resource:

What to Expect from Dental Veneers Procedure?

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.