Are Dental Veneers Right For You?
As a society, we value bright white smiles. This explains why many actors, musicians, and other celebrities can be seen on TV and in movies with picture-perfect pearly whites. But how did their teeth get that white? Just like you and me, celebrities weren’t born with ideal smiles. Most of the time, their bright smiles come from porcelain veneers.
Since many of us want to have healthy, straight, white smiles, it’s tempting to want the same thing for ourselves. To be honest, however, veneers aren’t perfect for everyone. To help you decide if dental veneers are right for you, we’ve gathered some pros and cons of getting them.
Before we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of veneers, it’s best to lay down exactly what they are.
Molded to fit your teeth specifically, veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are attached to the front of the tooth. The main goal of veneers is to improve the tooth’s appearance. They are also commonly made of resin and/or other composite materials. Regardless of the particular type of veneer you choose, they are primarily used to improve the look of teeth that are discolored, chipped, broken, irregularly shaped, and gaps between the teeth.
Pros
- On average, veneers last between 7 and 15 years before they require replacement.
- The biggest benefit of getting veneers is finally having the smile you’ve dreamt of. When this happens, you’ll get a huge confidence boost with your flawless smile.
- As we said above, veneers are molded specifically for your teeth, which makes it extremely difficult to tell the difference between the veneer and your actual tooth.
- Since the veneer is bonded to your tooth no matter the material it’s made of, there’s no additional drilling or shaping required during installation.
- They require no special maintenance! (Be sure to brush and floss as usual, though.)
- Did you know that you can choose the shade? Go as bright as you want or opt for something a little closer to your natural shade – the world is your oyster.
Cons
- Depending on your budget, the cost might be an issue. Veneers are usually around $1,000-$2,000 and aren’t covered by dental insurance because they’re considered to be cosmetic.
- Despite the fact that they stay on your teeth, their color doesn’t change over time. So the rest of your teeth will change color over time, but the veneer won’t. If you continue to make regular visits to your dentist, however, the mismatched color issue can be prevented.
- Veneers are delicate because they’re made of porcelain. This makes them pretty prone to chipping and cracking. If you have a habit of biting your nails, grinding your teeth, or chewing ice, veneers are going to be a big no-no. If you’re willing to change your habits, however, then by all means, do it!
- Even if you have veneers, your teeth can still decay underneath them. When this occurs, you’ll end up sitting in the dentist office waiting for a root canal or crown.
- If you have a history of certain conditions such as weakened enamel, gum disease, or other serious dental conditions, it’s best that you speak to your dentist as he or she may recommend you avoid veneers.
