Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

Everyone wants brighter and more beautiful smile, in and veneers are a great way to get it. They are the most conservative cosmetic restoration available in modern dentistry. Veneers, or laminates as they are also known, can create an attractive and uniform appearance. However, this treatment is not for everyone and requires careful consideration. Here are a few things to ponder.

What is a Dental Veneer?

It is an ultra-thin shell bonded directly to the front surface of your teeth, much like a false finger nail except veneers are more permanent. The dentist customizes the design of your veneers so they fit your teeth and your teeth alone.

Veneers are Used to Correct

Minor chips

Malformed teeth

Yellow or dark teeth

Unsightly gaps

Short, stubby teeth

Excessively worn teeth

Minor malocclusion (crooked teeth)

Pros of Veneers
There are many advantages of veneers and they include:

1.You get a brilliant, uniform smile in just two visits.

Veneer treatment is relatively quick, especially compared to the time orthodontic treatment can take. Though treatments spread out over a couple of weeks, it is normally just two or three appointments between you and your complete smile makeover.

2.They look just like real teeth.

Porcelain veneers are wafer thin, slightly translucent and custom designed to fit seamlessly with your smile. Also the porcelain is a ceramic that has similar properties to your natural teeth. The dentist can choose just the right color and design to suit your smile personality, giving you your most natural smile yet.

3.They are made from stain-resistant materials.

Though it looks and functions like your natural teeth, the ceramic material is impervious to staining. However, your teeth under the veneers or those left uncovered still can. So it is a good idea to adjust your eating and drinking habits just in case. Avoid highly pigmented foods and beverages like beets, red wine and tomato sauce.

4.Veneers strengthen your teeth.

For those who have suffered from acid erosion or fracturing, the veneers can help restore strength and stability to your teeth. Veneers are scratch-resistant and relatively long lasting, up to 15 or 20 years. However, veneers are not as strong as untouched, natural teeth. So you will need to be careful about what you chomp on once your veneers are in place.

5.They require no additional maintenance.

When taking care of your veneers, you do not need to do anything special. Simply brush and floss as the dentist recommends for your natural teeth.

Cons of Veneers

Though a great way to restore your smile, some of the drawbacks of veneers include:

1. The process cannot be reversed.

The dentist must file down your teeth slightly to create room for veneers. So once he or she bonds the shells in place, there is really no turning back. Also, you will need to replace your veneers every 15 to 20 years. Fortunately, very few patients want veneers removed so they can go back to looking like they did before treatment.

2. Teeth can be more sensitive.

If you already have excessive sensitivity, this procedure may not be for you. Again, because the dentist must file down some of the enamel it can lead to increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

3. Veneers don’t respond to teeth whitening.

The porcelain for veneers does not whiten with bleaching. This is why it is often recommended you get whitening treatment before veneers, so the dentist can match the color of the restoration to the rest of your teeth. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about whitening your veneers once they are in place.

4. Procedure is more expensive than teeth whitening or bonding.

Yes, you will have to pay more for veneers than you would for composite resin bonding and the procedure requires a little more consideration. However, this is an investment in the perfect smile and you need to keep that in mind when thinking about treatments.

5. Dentist cannot repair chipped or broken veneers.

Though they are strong, they are not invincible. Unfortunately, if a veneer chips, cracks or breaks, the dentist in Rocklin CA has to replace the entire veneer
. So you will want to avoid any excessive force or impact as best you can.

Who are Candidates for Dental Veneers?

Generally, those with good oral health and minor esthetic problems make good candidates for dental veneers. However those with an unstable bite, bruxism (habit of clenching or grinding teeth) or a habit of chewing on particularly hard foods could quickly break veneers. You may not make a good candidate if you have unhealthy teeth and gums, if you have decay or extensive restorations and if you have an inadequate amount of existing enamel.