The Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

People who want to whiten their teeth quickly often choose dental veneers. With dental veneers, a dentist uses porcelain or another safe alternative to create the look of real teeth. It's a quick procedure that allows you to enhance your smile in time for a wedding or another important event. This article will discuss the pros and cons of dental veneers so that you can make choices that are in line with your dental needs.

Are you looking for the very best dental veneers in the San Francisco Bay Area? Trust Santa Teresa Dental Center. Our San Jose dentists are experts at crafting and placing veneers. We will give you a whiter, more confident smile you'll love! Call us today to schedule your consultation!

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin coverings made of porcelain or composite resin. Each thin piece of your chosen covering is attached to the front of your teeth so they enhance your smile. If you decide to apply veneers to your teeth, you'll enjoy several cosmetic benefits.

A thin layer of enamel will be removed from your tooth during the process. This allows your veneer to fit neatly with your smile line. The nature of the process may make it less ideal for a few patients. It's important to talk to your dentist about your goals so they can help you to prepare for dental veneers or an alternative that is more aligned with your medical history.

Dental veneers can be used to quickly cover any imperfections that are present in your teeth. Some patients use veneers to fix problems that could also be treated by partial braces or other methods. For example, if your teeth are stained, dental veneers can be used to cover those stains.

Each layer is bonded to the front surface of your tooth by using dental cement. This means it will not shift. Dental cement is safe and is frequently used to repair common dental problems. Composite resin is also used for fillings and is a durable material that will stand up to your daily activity levels.

Unlike some dental correction methods, which are temporary, veneers are a long term solution. If you care for your veneers properly, they could last a decade. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of dental veneers with your dentist before making the step to have a tooth or several teeth covered in this way.

Veneers Pros and Cons

There are several pros and cons of dental veneers that you should consider. There is risk involved in any medical procedure and you should ensure that you have a frank and open discussion with your dentist even before relatively quick procedures such as this one.

Veneers Pros - Whiten Your Teeth

If your teeth have become stained over time by coffee or other beverages, a dental veneer can whiten them quickly. You can go to your dentist and have the procedure completed within a fortnight or even a few hours with new technology. if you feel uncomfortable now because your teeth are not as bright as you would want them to be, discuss options like this with your dentist to enhance your smile.

Some people don't want to keep bleaching their teeth. However, they may feel that due to personal preferences or professional reasons, it's important to have the look that they can get with regular treatments to remove stains. Veneers give you back your time since you won't need other frequent sessions anymore. 

Dental veneers whiten your teeth for a very long time. If you take care of them, your teeth will remain white for years. This is a much easier way to maintain a particular type of look than to constantly go to your dentist for chemical whitening. Dental veneers resist stains and the material will not typically change if you brush and floss regularly.

An exception to this does exist. If you smoke, it is likely that your veneers will eventually become stained. Sometimes dentists are reluctant to do the procedure with a patient who smokes or has other habits that will eventually cause the veneers to change color. They will ask you about your medical history during your initial examination.

Fix Small Gaps

If you have small gaps between some of your teeth, these can be disguised in just two weeks or even a few hours. Veneers can be used on these teeth, in a way that eliminates the extra space. If the gap is large, your dentist will recommend another method of closing it, such as partial braces. They may suggest a veneer if the gap is small enough for your tooth to safely support the veneer that's required.

If you are specifically utilizing veneers to address a gap and aren't interested in applying a veneer to all of your teeth, let your dentist know. They can place a veneer on just one tooth that immediately enhances your smile.

Address Cosmetic Problems

Sometimes teeth may have small cracks. If you feel like you want to cover those cracks, this can be done with dental veneers. If you have always had problems with your teeth cracking, your dentist may also want to discuss other lifestyle changes with you.

Lots of Alternatives

Each patient has a lot of alternatives to choose from when it comes to using veneers on their teeth. You can go with standard veneers, which look good and enhance your smile without the need for frequent whitening.

You can also select porcelain, which is a durable material as well. While porcelain looks good, it's a little more expensive than standard veneers. If you want to make a fashion statement with your veneers, talk to your dentist about leading brands like Lumineers.

Your veneers should make you feel good about how your smile looks. When you're informed, you can make the right decisions about the health and beauty of your teeth. During your discussion with your dentist, ask all the questions that you have about veneers' pros and cons. This will help you to make better choices about your health.

Veneers Cons - Tooth Sensitivity

There is a risk that your teeth will be sensitive for a while after the procedure. This sensitivity can last for several weeks. The chances of this happening will decrease significantly if you select an orthodontist who is experienced and is known for applying veneers properly.

If you apply a veneer right before a big event and your teeth feel sensitive, you are likely to feel uncomfortable throughout the event. If you want a veneer in order to look and feel your best, it's important to select an experienced dentist.

During veneer placement, enamel on your teeth will need to be removed. This can cause or exacerbate tooth sensitivity. Patients who know they have sensitive teeth can talk to their dentist about that. In this case, your dentist will be likely to do a no-prep treatment, in which only a little enamel is removed.

Improper Placement

There is a chance that your veneer may not be properly positioned on your tooth. While it is unlikely that this will happen with an experienced dentist, it can occur with a dentist who does not perform the procedure frequently. Dentists have to be specifically trained to perform this procedure, so you should ask your dentist about their training and experience during your consultation with them.

If your veneer is not positioned properly, it can be fixed. Another dentist can reset the veneer if this happens. Despite the fact that veneers can be fixed, that remedy should only be necessary in rare cases. Always ensure that you choose a dentist who is experienced in this procedure.

Careful with Foods

Once a veneer has been applied, you will have to be careful about the type of foods that you eat. You won't be able to constantly eat foods that are too hard because this can cause your veneers to crack. Many hard substances, such as candy, can damage both your teeth and the veneers covering them.

Schedule Your Veneers Consultation With Santa Teresa Dental Center

Dental veneers are a great way to enhance your smile. You can add them to a few teeth to significantly change how your smile looks. You can even do a large number of your teeth if you qualify. Veneers can help with a lot of minor dental problems and will meet the needs of many adults.

Call us today to learn how veneers could boost the look of your smile!

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