Having veneers fitted to the front of your teeth can address a number of cosmetic imperfections, but there are also some cons that you should know about before you have treatment. Today we are going to take a closer look at veneers pros and cons so you can make an informed decision before you go forward.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are covers or thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the surface of your teeth. Essentially, they cover up small dental issues and improve the aesthetics of your smile. They can be used to change the size, shape or colour of your teeth and can be completed relatively quickly to transform your smile. Dental veneers fall within the realm of cosmetic dentistry, so if your dental concern does not affect the health of your tooth, the chances are that it can be managed with veneers.
What Are The Primary Veneers Pros And Cons?
Like everything in life, veneers pros and cons are important to get familiar with before you embark on any cosmetic dentistry treatment:
The Pros Of Veneers
Transform Your Smile
Teeth that are a little crooked or too small can be improved with the use of dental veneers. Teeth that are worn down, cracked or chipped can be improved with porcelain veneers, which are able to reflect light in a similar way to your natural teeth. This means they blend in effortlessly when well done, and the people around you aren’t likely to notice.
While crooked teeth generally do require orthodontic treatment, a slightly crooked tooth can be addressed by using dental veneers. Sometimes, small teeth can have their surface area added to by composite resin or porcelain, and a gappy smile can be filled in.
Teeth that do not respond to whitening treatments, for example, teeth discoloured by the use of medication, can also be improved with porcelain veneers.
Cover Up Your Dental Enamel
It is the hardest substance in the human body, but it is not always indestructible: damage to your dental enamel is difficult to cover up. But dental veneers can improve the appearance of your teeth even if damage to your dental enamel has prevented it from protecting your teeth.
There’s A Solution For Your Needs
While porcelain veneers are the more favoured option, they do take longer to complete. You will need to have a cast made of your mouth, which is sent away to a dental laboratory so that a perfect match can be made.
This usually means that there is a period where your teeth are unprotected, as your dentist will have removed some surface enamel to get an accurate mould of your teeth.
If you cannot wait that long, you have the option of composite resin veneers, which can be completed in your dentist’s chair on the same day.
The Cons Of Veneers
You May Have To Wait
Yes, all good things take time and porcelain veneers are no different. Unfortunately, you will have to accommodate an extra visit to your dentist and a waiting period of up to ten days for your veneers to be completed.
You May Experience Tooth Sensitivity
Some patients report that they experience some tooth sensitivity after having their veneers done. Sensitivity is usually related to temperature extremes, but patients report that it improves over time and is likely to subside in due course.
Veneers Are Not Reversible
Once you commit to veneers, you are committed forever because your dentist needs to remove a portion of your dental enamel and reshape your natural underlying teeth to accommodate them. This is why it makes sense to invest in porcelain veneers if you can afford them because these will last for up to 25 years with good dental care.
While composite resin veneers are cheaper initially, they will need to be redone at least every eight years. Not only does this make them more expensive over the long term, it means your natural teeth are going to be worn down quite a lot over the course of your lifespan.
Veneers Are Costly
Years ago, dental veneers, like many other kinds of cosmetic dentistry, were considered affordable only for the likes of the rich and famous. And even though the cost of veneers has come down a lot in recent years, they still require a significant investment on your part. Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite resin initially, but over the course of a lifetime, the two materials do come closer together.
If you want to know more about veneers pros and cons it’s time to make an appointment with us: (02) 8203 8760.
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