Everything You Need to Know About Veneers
Could your smile be holding you back? Our smiles are more powerful than we give them credit for. They play a significant role in shaping people’s impressions of us and even how we view ourselves. Unfortunately, not everyone has a smile like Beyonce’s. Factors like genetics, accidents, and poor oral hygiene can result in a less-than-perfect smile.
Lucky for us in the 21st century, a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures are available to enhance the appearance of your smile. In this blog, we will explore veneers as an option to transform your smile.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are custom-made, thin shells placed on the surface of your teeth to make them more aesthetically pleasing. They are an ideal solution for correcting dental flaws like gaps, cracks, chips, and discoloration. While veneers can be made from all sorts of materials, the most popular choices are porcelain and composite resin. Each type has its own distinct features along with pros and cons, all of which we will discuss later in this blog.
Who can get veneers?
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for veneers. The ideal candidate for veneers has no tooth decay or gum disease and a healthy amount of enamel. That is to say, you cannot get veneers if you suffer from these conditions.
Types of Veneers
In this section, we will evaluate the most common types of veneers based on durability and aesthetic quality, allowing you to accurately choose the best fit for your needs:
Porcelain Veneers
As the name implies, porcelain veneers are made from porcelain. These ultra-thin veneers are placed on your teeth to enhance the look of your smile. They are highly durable, lasting as long as 10–15 years with proper care.
They are also the most natural-looking because they are able to mimic the translucency of your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, giving your teeth underneath some protection from further damage.
To install these veneers, a layer of enamel is shaved off your teeth; this process is what dentist’s refer to as “teeth preparation.” This enamel loss is necessary to enable the veneers to fit properly over your natural teeth without looking bulky.
On the downside, porcelain veneers are very expensive, averaging a cost of $3500 per tooth or more. You may also experience some tooth sensitivity after getting your veneers for the first few weeks.
Composite Resin Veneers
Moving on to the next type of veneer on our list, composite veneers are made from tooth-colored resin that is bonded to your teeth to achieve a natural look. These veneers are more affordable than their porcelain counterparts but not as durable, as they last only 5–7 years.
Unlike porcelain veneers, you only need to remove a minimal amount of enamel to install composite veneers. In some cases, no tooth preparation may be needed at all. This makes them a less-invasive option for enjoying a more radiant smile.
Sadly, these veneers are not as lifelike as porcelain, and they’re less durable too. They also don’t possess the same stain-resisting qualities as porcelian, making them more susceptible to discoloration if not cared for properly.
No-Prep Veneers
Finally, we have no-prep veneers. These brands of porcelain veneers are marketed as a minimally-invasive option that requires little to no tooth preparation. Popularly marketed no-prep veneers are DURAthin, Vivaneers, and Lumineers.
The major advantage these veneers have over the others is how fast they can be installed. The typical installation process of veneers is concluded in 3–4 visits, whereas no-prep veneers can be installed in a single visit. Not to mention, you can achieve the same stunning results as porcelain veneers without altering your natural tooth structure.
But note that these veneers are not ideal for anyone with serious or complex dental defects. For example, because of how thin they are, they are not as effective for people with severe discoloration because the stains may be visible underneath the veneers.
The Veneer Installation Process
Getting veneers typically spans 3–4 visits over 2–3 weeks. This timeframe allows for precise fitting, customization, and bonding of your veneers for a flawless result.
Initial Consultation: The first step of this journey begins with your initial consultation. During this stage, your dentist will ask about your goals and evaluate your oral health to come up with the best treatment option for your needs.
Tooth Preparation: Here, your dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the surface of your teeth to enable your veneers sit properly. They will also make a detailed impression of your teeth that will be used in creating your customized veneers.
Application: While you wait for your veneers, a temporary set of veneers will be placed over your prepared teeth to protect them and give you a sneak peak of your new smile. Once your final veneers are ready, your dentist will bond them to your teeth after making necessary adjustments to guarantee a natural look.
Recovery: Many patients report tooth sensitivity after getting veneers. This is a common side effect and should not cause any alarm, as it usually fades after a few weeks or less. After your veneers have been installed, you will have to make changes to your eating habits by avoiding certain foods that could damage them. Examples of such foods are candy, wine, coffee, and ice cubes, as they can stain or chip your veneers.
How Can I Pay for my Veneers?
Most insurance plans typically do not cover cosmetic procedures like veneers. This means you’d have to pay for them out of pocket. On the bright side, many dental clinics offer flexible payment plans to help ease the financial burden. Be sure to discuss payment options with your dental provider to find a plan that works best for you.
Benefits of Veneers
People looking to transform their smile can gain several benefits from opting for veneers to achieve this goal:
- Aesthetic Improvement: Veneers are suitable for fixing many dental issues, from misalignments to discolorations.
- Durability: Depending on the type you get, veneers can last as long as 15 years with proper care.
- Minimal Invasiveness: Compared to other procedures like dental crowns, veneers require very minimal alterations to your natural teeth.
- Self-Esteem Boost: A radiant smile can do wonders for your self-confidence and positively impact your personal and professional life.
Care and Maintenance
A common misconception about veneers is that they don’t require any form of maintenance. On the contrary, veneers need the same amount of attention you’d give to your natural teeth.
This translates to standard oral practices like brushing twice daily, flossing, and avoiding specific food items and objects. Foods in this category include anything that could stain or crack your teeth, like tea and wine. If you have a habit of biting hard objects with your teeth, now is the time to stop it.
Also, develop the habit of going for regular checkups to enable your dentist monitor the condition of your veneers. This will help them address any issues promptly and avoid potential complications.
Are veneers right for you?
Veneers are a potential game-changer for anyone struggling with how they view their teeth. By addressing common issues like cracks, chips, and discoloration, veneers offer a minimally invasive option to gain a beautiful smile.
If you’re considering veneers as a solution to your smile problems, consult with a dental professional to explore your options and take the first step towards achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.
