The Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers
Cosmetic dental procedures have become a huge attraction for many patients to dentistry. People now look forward to seeing dentists with the hope of enjoying the benefits of different procedures meant to improve smiles. From minor adjustments like teeth whitening to overall smile makeovers, there is a lot that a cosmetic dentist can do for your smile.
Depending on your underlying cosmetic goals for your teeth, different procedures are viable to improve your smile. With oral appliances like tooth veneers, you will not run out of options when it comes to modifying how your teeth look.
What Are Dental Veneers?
They are thin shell-like porcelain materials used in cosmetic dentistry to adjust and improve the appearance of teeth. Veneers are tooth-shaped and tooth-colored, proving very valuable in cosmetic processes in dentistry.
Veneers are installed on teeth through a process called dental bonding, which entails adhering the porcelain shells on the enamel of your teeth using dental cement. The result of the dental bonding is permanent, which is why these oral appliances are often referred to as permanent veneers.
How Are Veneers Used?
Depending on the cosmetic dental needs you have, veneers can be used in the following ways:
- Brightening discolored teeth
- Masking cracks, chips, and breaks on teeth
- Modifying the shape and sizes of teeth
- Closing spaces between teeth
Pros of Dental Veneers
- Easy and quick procedure – this is the reason why dental veneers are considered instant smile teeth. The procedure is not as long as is the case with other procedures like installing dental crowns. In that case, if you are looking for a quick fix that will have you leaving the dentist’s office in a couple of minutes, consider oral veneers.
- Versatility in dentistry – dental veneers in Chicago, IL, are very versatile when it comes to correcting different dental issues. From fixing cracks and chips on teeth to improving the color thereof, there are multiple ways in which veneers are used in dentistry.
- Less invasive procedure compared to dental crowns – tooth veneers are installed in the front surface is of teeth only. This means that only the front surface of your teeth will be prepared for the procedure, which is not the case for dental crowns that cover the entire enamel of your tooth.
- They are tooth-colored – this means that the dentist can pick a shade of color that closest matches the color of your natural teeth. This is the leading reason why veneers are used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of teeth.
- They are durable – these oral appliances offer a little over 15 years of service. If you want to keep them longer, then you must take proper care of them.
Cons of Dental Veneers
- They do not last forever – veneers on your teeth can serve you for a while once you get them, but they will not be a permanent dental solution for the rest of your life. With proper care, they will serve you longer than is typically the case with many patients.
- They can get stained – although the porcelain used to create veneers better at resisting stains than composite material, they can still be stained if you do not properly clean your teeth. Besides, it is very difficult to whiten your veneers once they are stained.
- The process is irreversible – since your enamel has to be trimmed to make room for the veneers, the procedure cannot be reversed once it is done.
- Risk of tooth sensitivity – this is an expected side effect of getting veneers due to the shaving of the enamel of your teeth during the installation process.
Should You Choose Dental Veneers?
This is a decision only you can make after carefully considering the pros and cons of dental veneers. Technically, you need to consult your dentist about what other options are suitable for your treatment as you make your decision. Either way, any cosmetic solution you determine for your teeth will have its advantages and disadvantages. The trick to finding the perfect treatment is weighing the pros and cons to determine whether it is worth it.