Top 5 Pros & Cons of Dental Veneers
You may initially be hesitant to believe that a gleaming, iridescent smile is as easy to achieve as what some dental infomercials make it look like. You may not currently have a smile as seamless as commercial models do but with a little assistance, it can be as easy as 1 2 3. If you are hoping to stand out of a crowd of unique individuals and acquire an aura of confidence and allure, we have the right solution for your quirky dental needs. Dental veneers are critically acclaimed as dental marvels and can add the right amount of spice and elegance in your life.
If you are struggling to form a social bond with your friends because you feel self-conscious of your chipped, stained, or “undesirable” teeth, you may find refuge with a variety of cosmetic dental procedures that help mask or correct such problems.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers, also popularly known as dental laminates are ultra-thin wafer-like shells that are “clipped” or cemented onto the visible facial surfaces of the teeth. Most dental veneers are tailor-made to resemble the differences in color, size, and shape of the individual’s natural teeth and blend in with the rest of the teeth while keeping a low contrast profile. They can be effective first-line-of-action conduct for the correction of minute tooth defects on the teeth both in regards to color and size such as worn tooth enamel, minor chips or cracks, irreversible discoloration, and uneven tooth alignment or spacing.
Dental veneers may primarily be made up of composite or porcelain- both tooth-colored dental materials that effectively camouflage the dental veneers on top of damaged or defective teeth.
Why are dental veneers a good idea?
- They look realistic
One of the most tempting reasons for the rising popularity of dental veneers is the fact that they look and feel like real teeth. This has a lot to do with the composition of porcelain dental material and its optic properties that allow the dental veneers to appear much like real teeth. Porcelain is a ceramic that can precisely mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth and make the resulting veneers look aesthetic and real tooth-like. This is one of the biggest motivations for people to get dental veneers as they restore not only their compromised teeth but also their self-confidence and self-worth.
- They are stain-resistant
A lifelong cynical cycle of drinking excessive coffee, smoking regularly, or consuming highly pigmented foods and beverages such as wine can eventually begin to take a toll on your teeth and its aesthetics. Stained, yellowing or discolored teeth can be a huge blow to one’s confidence and self-esteem. While various teeth whitening- in-office or at-home procedures can give your teeth that twinkle, they do not shield the teeth against stains indefinitely often require renewal upon regular intervals. For that purpose, dental veneers are outstanding and highly recommended by dentists and prior clients alike.
Porcelain is a ceramic and therefore has a surface that is extremely smooth and impervious. This makes porcelain veneers largely stain-resistant, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Indulge in that glass of chardonnay, why don’t you!
- They have long durability
Porcelain dental veneers have an outstanding life expectancy of 10 to 15 years while composite resins may only serve a period of 5 to 7 years on excellent service. In order to outstretch the longevity of the dental restoration, it is important to make sure that the design is additive to the role instead of just reducing and potentially compromising the tooth structure. It is for this reason that veneers are almost permanent and a great investment for your smile!
- They have vast product versatility
Dental veneers are versatile in a number of ways. The dentist can customize each dental veneer to perfectly fit the patient’s desired goals and is granted liberty to choose the right tooth shade for the dental veneer to successfully and closely imitate the original tooth color. Furthermore, beyond the color diversity, the process of veneer making is flexible and not as stringent as for dental crowns. Compared to crowns or bridges, veneers do not require extensive shaping or preparation of the tooth prior to the fitting. Some dental veneer variants in the market today do not need any tooth preparation at all thus, making them strong enough to provide structural support and integrity to the damaged tooth.
- They can be used for a wide range of indications
According to Dentistry Today, dental veneers provide correction for a vast array of minor cosmetic dental problems like:
- Irreversibly discolored teeth (due to certain prescription medications like tetracycline, excessive exposure to fluoride, presence of large resin fillings)
- Teeth that are stained and cannot be bleached
- Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth (due to grinding)
- Teeth with worn or dulled enamel (due to prolonged smoking)
- Chipped or broken teeth (wear and tear due to aging)
- Teeth with uneven gaps between them
What are the downsides to dental veneers?
- They are expensive
Dental veneers, especially those made up of porcelain have a high market cost. A single tooth veneer can easily tally up anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500. If you have multiple teeth to be replaced, the cost adds up exponentially.
- They can cause tooth sensitivity
Since the fabrication of dental veneers requires removing a layer of enamel, your tooth may become more sensitive to heat and cold, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If the veneer is too thin, it cannot mask the sensitivity as it cannot act as a barrier between the tooth and the fluctuating temperatures of foods and beverages.
- They are permanent
Dental veneers are considered irreversible procedures as your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel when preparing the tooth to receive a veneer. Their permanence can come as an inconvenience to some patients over time as there is no going back once it’s done.
- They are fragile
Although porcelain dental veneers are relatively strong, they are not impenetrable. When exposed to a strong enough force such as with teeth grinding, eating hard foods, and the like, they may chip or break. Repairing or replacing veneers due to such damage can cost you a lighter wallet!
- You may not be an eligible candidate
Dental veneers can fix minor cosmetic problems such as wearing or chipping of teeth. In cases where you may have some underlying conditions or severely critical dental problems, you may not qualify as an eligible candidate to receive dental veneers. Active cases of rampant dental caries or tooth decay, aggressive periodontal or gum disease, large, deep fractures or dental fillings, and an inadequate amount of existing enamel can compromise the success of dental veneers and may be avoided in such cases.
A beautiful glowing smile can brighten up a room as soon as you enter a room and will give you a powerful presence in the midst of friends and strangers alike. Dental veneers are mostly allocated for the six front teeth in order to get rid of teeth-conscious moments when caused by inadvertent incidents like contact sports and accidents. Get the illuminating smile you have so desired with your brand new dental veneers with the help of 4Smile. Connect with our experienced and highly qualified dentists for a quality dental veneer!
