Your smile leaves a lasting impression on everyone you meet. If you aren’t happy with your smile, you might not feel comfortable sharing it with the world. There are many ways to permanently improve your smile through cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers are one way Austin Cosmetic Dentistry can give you the smile of your dreams.
In this article, we’ll tell you all about dental veneers, including the pros and cons, so you can make a decision that is best for your smile.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are a quick and easy way to permanently improve your smile. Veneers are a cover that go on the front of your teeth, and they are often made of wafer-thin porcelain or composite resin. They are custom-made for each person, so your veneers will be undetectable, blending in with the form, size, and color of your natural teeth. Dental veneers can help camouflage chips, discoloration, and other imperfections in your teeth.
Pros of Dental Veneers
Getting dental veneers is a major decision that you should carefully consider. As with every big investment, there are pros and cons. Here are some pros:
Quick Results
While other types of dental restoration can take weeks, even months, of appointments and procedures, dental veneers are a quick way to bring your smile to life. A cosmetic dentist can create and install porcelain veneers in two office visits. If you have a busy life and find it hard to fit appointments into your schedule, veneers are a good option for you.
Fully Conceal Problems
While there are many treatment options available for issues like discoloration and misalignment, those treatments often do not fully resolve the problem. Whitening may not completely remove stains, and teeth may shift again after you’ve removed braces. Dental veneers cover the entire front surface of the teeth so cosmetic issues are completely hidden, leaving you with a bright and healthy smile.
Versatility
Dental veneers are extremely versatile and can be used to correct many types of dental concerns. The application and results are the same whether you want to correct stains and discolorations, hide chips and cracks, or reshape or straighten your teeth. Veneers can be used in place of teeth whitening, caps or crowns, and some minor tooth straightening.
Choice of Materials
In most cosmetic dentistry procedures, you do not get to decide what materials are used. With veneers, you get to choose between having porcelain or composite resin used for your dental restoration. Porcelain is glossier, more stain resistant and more natural than composite resin; however, it also tends to be more expensive.
Minimal Preparation
Dental veneers only require two visits to your cosmetic dentist. Prior to installing your veneers to the surface of the teeth, the dentist removes a small amount of tooth enamel to make space for the veneers. When installing a crown, the dentist removes substantially more tooth enamel.
The Most Natural Appearance
When you choose dental veneers, you will have the most natural looking results. The light reflecting qualities of porcelain are very similar to that of tooth enamel. veneers are made by a highly experienced cosmetic dentist, they look exactly like real teeth.
Stain Resistance
Porcelain veneers resist staining more than natural teeth. If you consume coffee, tea, or other staining foods and beverages, veneers will help keep your smile white and bright. The compounds that cause staining on natural teeth simply roll off the surface of the veneers.
Affordability
Dental veneers are affordable when compared to other types of dental restoration like crowns. While they may require more of an up-front investment, veneers are still more affordable over time because they are long lasting. Procedures like teeth whitening must be repeated to maintain results.
Strong and Durable
Though they are mostly a cosmetic solution, dental veneers are strong enough to provide support to slightly damaged teeth. Porcelain veneers can be an alternative to a dental crown and are durable enough to last for decades. Most dentists recommend replacing veneers roughly every 15 years.
No Special Care
Your veneers require no special care. Simply brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily and be sure to see your dentist for regular checkups.
The Cons of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are an amazing option for dental restoration, but there are a few downsides. Here are the cons:
Permanence
While the permanence of veneers may be appealing to some, others may be put off by the fact that veneers are not reversible. Once the enamel has been removed from your teeth, it cannot be put back. Procedures like teeth whitening need to be repeated over time, but they do not make any permanent changes to your teeth.
Increased Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth enamel helps protect the nerves in your teeth from extreme hot and cold sensation. Because dental veneer application requires some enamel be removed, you may find your teeth are temporarily more sensitive afterward.
Less Effective for Badly Damaged Teeth
Dental veneers are an excellent option for restoring minimally damaged teeth. However, they will not be a good solution if your teeth have a lot of structural damage. Your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment, like a dental crown to fit over the entire tooth.
More Damageable
While dental veneers are made extremely thin to mimic the feel and appearance of a natural tooth, the structure can be prone to damage. Just as your natural teeth, veneers can chip and crack.
Bigger Investment
High-quality dental veneers from an experienced cosmetic dentist will require a significant up-front investment. While you may end up spending more money on repeated teeth whitening and other less permanent procedures, you may not be willing to spend so much to get started with veneers.
What’s the Better Option?
Researching and reading articles may give you an idea of what dental treatments you are interested in, but it is best to schedule a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist to find out what options will work best for you. You should select a dentist who specializes in these treatments and will give you an honest assessment of your situation and all the available solutions.
Some dental offices may be able to offer you zero-interest financing to help you obtain your new smile.
Get Your Winning Smile Today
Dr. Tejas Patel and the team at Austin Cosmetic Dentistry are standing by to help bring your winning smile to life. Request a free consultation today to find out how our high-quality veneers can work for you.
