The Benefits and Disadvantages of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are tooth coverings made of porcelain or composite resin. Veneers are one of the most common types of cosmetic dentistry, and they look nearly identical to natural teeth.
As with any dental procedure, knowing the pros and cons of veneers can help you make the best choice to improve your smile.
Benefits of Veneers
1. FIx Tooth Damage: One of the biggest reasons many people choose dental veneers is the ability of veneers to fix minor cosmetic problems with teeth. Veneers aren't a substitute for orthodontic work, but since veneers adhere to the front of your teeth they can be positioned in a way that hides gaps and any slight misalignment that causes teeth to appear crooked. Veneers can also disguise small chips and thin cracks in teeth, as well as protect damaged teeth from further injury.
2. Whiten Teeth: If your teeth are discolored due to smoking, coffee, or other staining foods and drinks, porcelain veneers can instantly whiten them. Tooth whitening is a common cosmetic dental procedure, but if your enamel gets stained again, you'll need to whiten again. Veneers are stain-resistant, so they offer a permanent way to whiten your teeth.
3. Address Enamel Problems: The enamel on your teeth helps protect them and is your best line of defense against many dental problems. Enamel doesn't grow back, so damaged enamel from rough brushing, lots of highly acidic foods, or other medical conditions, such as acid reflux disease, leaves teeth vulnerable. Veneers placed over teeth with eroded or abraded enamel help protect your damaged teeth from further wear on the enamel.
Disadvantages of Veneers
1. Permanency: One of the main things to keep in mind when you decide whether veneers are right for you is that veneers are permanent. If you don't like the look of your veneers after they're placed, they can't be removed, so it's important to discuss all of your questions and concerns with your dentist before the veneers are placed.
2. Difficult to Match and Repair: Your dentist will do their best to match the color of your veneers to your natural teeth, but it's possible the match won't be exact. Veneers can't have the color altered after they're placed, so if you plan to whiten your natural teeth it's best to do it before you get veneers. Veneers are strong and resilient, but if they chip or break they can be difficult to repair. If you damage a veneer or it comes loose, your dentist may need to replace it entirely.
3. Increased Tooth Sensitivity: If your teeth are sensitive, veneers might not be a good choice to improve your smile. Dentists remove a small amount of enamel from your natural teeth before they place veneers over them. This causes increased tooth sensitivity in some people, which might be permanent.
Talk to local cosmetic dental services about your goals for your smile to determine if veneers are the best choice for you.