Nothing boosts your confidence more than a beautiful, glowing smile. If you are reluctant to smile or hiding your happy glow due to teeth that are less than perfect, veneers are one way to restore your smile (and confidence!). Here are six benefits of veneers that go beyond bright teeth.
1. Appearance
When looking at veneers pros and cons, one of the biggest concerns is about their appearance. No one wants to flash their pearly whites and have people wonder if their teeth are real. Depending on the material, veneers can be selected to cover dark stains (more opaque materials), or they can be layered or translucent to allow more light to naturally pass through.
Their wide range of options results in gorgeous, beautiful smiles. Your veneers are custom-made for your teeth. Veneers are not a one-size-fits-all approach. One of the advantages of veneers is this tailored approach to cosmetic restoration that makes them look (and feel) like your natural teeth.
2. Durability and longevity
There are a variety of veneer materials to choose from, and this may affect how durable your veneers are. In general, though, porcelain veneers can last between ten and 20 years!
Durability also depends on a variety of factors, including the skill of your dentist, how well you care for them, and any other factors that might add pressure to the veneers. People who grind their teeth or bite their fingernails may have to replace their veneers more frequently than those who do not.
3. Smile health
Your veneers can actually help maintain the health of your smile. Not only do veneers correct minor imperfections, but they also help balance your bite. For example, if you choose veneers to close minor gaps or to make your teeth more proportional to each other, these changes will help you even out the wear on your teeth.
Additionally, veneers can protect the teeth underneath. Preventing further stains, covering chipped or cracked teeth, helping to prevent decay settling into cracked teeth: these are all benefits of veneers that go deeper than cosmetic repair.
4. Easy maintenance
Once in place, your veneers will function just like regular teeth, with the same easy maintenance.
Brush twice a day, floss once, and use non-alcoholic mouth wash as directed by your dentist. Visit your dentist twice yearly for regular cleanings and to check the fit and appearance of your veneers. That’s it!
5. Fast results
Unlike other cosmetic restorations, one of the big benefits of veneers is that you can have a brand-new smile in just two visits.
No waiting for months or going through multiple procedures with several temporary fixes.
6. Less invasive
No matter how careful and experienced the dentist, getting a crown or an implant is a more invasive procedure with multiple steps that require local anesthesia for your comfort. With veneers, they remove less tooth material, which means that some patients don’t require any anesthetic.
If you are sensitive to metals, veneers might be the right choice for you, too. Most patients readily tolerate the materials used for veneers, with little, if any reaction along the gumline once the veneers are in place.
Candidates for veneers
Now that you know the benefits of veneers, are you a good candidate for this dental restoration? If your teeth are generally healthy but need cosmetic repair, veneers might be for you.
Veneers are best for teeth that need cosmetic help, such as:
- Covering cracks, chips, or stains
- Making minorly crooked teeth appear straight (without braces)
- Filling in small gaps between teeth
- Increasing the size of small or malformed teeth to match other teeth
The veneers procedure
The procedure for veneers is quick and usually requires just two visits to your dentist.
In the first visit, your dentist will complete a thorough exam and explain all of your options for veneers. You will explain your goals in terms of the size and shape of your smile. This influences the materials you’ll have and the final result. Before the end of your visit, your dentist will take a cast of your natural teeth.
On your next visit, your teeth will be prepared to receive veneers. Your dentist will usually remove a small amount of enamel and shape your teeth if necessary. Although some veneer materials are paper thin, removing this material is necessary so that they do not feel bulky in your mouth. (Lumineers are the exception to this—they fit on top of your teeth.)
After applying a thin layer of dental cement, your dentist will affix your veneers and check your bite, making adjustments as needed. You may experience minor sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures in the first few days after your veneers procedure, but that should pass quickly.
What are disadvantages of veneers?
A list of veneers pros and cons wouldn’t be complete without the cons.
The most important factor is the health of your underlying teeth. If your natural teeth are decayed or damaged, veneers are not recommended as the decay can progress if not treated.
Other disadvantages to consider include the following:
- Veneers are generally not able to fix teeth that are seriously misaligned or those with large gaps.
- Because a small amount of enamel is removed, veneers are considered “irreversible.” This means that the exposed tooth can be subject to increased sensitivity and further damage if left uncovered in the future.
- Cracked veneers must be replaced (they cannot usually be repaired).
- Depending on the materials, dental veneers can come with a hefty price tag that insurance may not cover.
Find the best veneers in Phoenix
If you are in Phoenix, veneers are closer than you think. AZ Dentist is a full service family dentist with convenient office hours across the Valley that fit your busy schedule.
When you are ready to explore the benefits of veneers, give us a call!