Dental health issues are more common than you might think. Tooth discolouration, cavities, gaps and other problems can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics and poor or lack of oral care. Dental veneers are a great solution to help repair and remedy a lot of these issues. But it’s important to carefully consider all of the pros and cons of dental veneers before going through with the procedure. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the advantages and disadvantages of dental veneers.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Before diving into all of that, let’s talk about dental veneers and what they’re used for. Dental veneers can be composed of two main materials: dental porcelain or composite. Starting with a mould of your oral cavity, porcelain veneers can only be manufactured in a lab and then placed on your natural teeth (indirectly); whereas composite veneers can either be directly or indirectly placed on your teeth.
Dental veneers are made to match the appearance of your surrounding natural teeth. The objective is to correct any cosmetic and dental problems to achieve a cohesive look.
Pros of Dental Veneers
There are a lot of great advantages to getting dental veneers to help correct any dental issues you may be experiencing. These include the following:
Dental Veneers Beautify Your Smile
Dental veneers can help improve the look and functionality of your smile, especially if your teeth are discoloured, damaged or missing. Dental veneers are also a good permanent alternative to constantly undergoing teeth whitening. After years of consuming coffee, tea and other substances that can discolour or erode your tooth enamel, it’s not always prudent to keep getting your teeth whitened over and over again. Porcelain or composite dental veneers offer a much more permanent solution to help you regain confidence in your smile rather than hiding it away. Dental veneers are also a great way to bridge small or large gaps between your natural teeth.
Dental Veneers Correct Minor Cosmetic Problems
In many ways, dental veneers can do the work of braces and other orthodontic appliances including straightening crooked teeth, closing gaps between teeth and giving the appearance of whiter teeth. Although dental veneers don’t actually fix these problems, they certainly do a great job of covering them up or camouflaging them so that no one else, except your dentist, will ever know that you even had them in the first place.
Dental Veneers Are Durable and Long Lasting
Depending on the material and the quality of the cement used, modern dental veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. During that time, they may require some maintenance like minor repairs if they get cracked or they may need to be replaced altogether. As long as you take good care of your dental veneers and attend regular dental appointments, there’s no reason why they won’t last a very long time.
Dental Veneers Are Stain Resistant
Another major selling point for dental veneers is that they’re stain resistant. That means you can enjoy all the coffee, tea and other potentially tooth staining beverages you want (although we don’t recommend it) without worrying about permanently staining your veneers. Just beware about this because your natural teeth can still become discoloured.
Dental Veneers Don’t Require Special Care
Dental veneers can and should be treated just like your natural teeth. You should practice regular dental and oral care complete with scheduling routine dental appointments, brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once a day. One of the great things about getting dental veneers is that they don’t require any special treatment or oral care.
Cons of Dental Veneers
As you can imagine, there are also a few cons associated with getting dental veneers, including:
Dental Veneers Can Be Expensive
On average, dental veneers can cost about $450 per tooth in Canada depending on the material used. If you need multiple veneers in your mouth, that cost can easily add up. Dental insurance does not cover this treatment as it is classified as cosmetic. Pricing includes the cost of fitting, manufacturing and bonding the veneer to your teeth.
Dental Veneers Can Damage Existing Teeth
Until recently, dental veneers required a lot of preparation work from your dentist. Typically, this included stripping away a thin layer of enamel to allow the veneer to better bond to your natural teeth. While some dentists still do this, technological advancements have seen the introduction of dental veneers that require very little to no tooth grinding, which is a much more equally attractive option for patients and dentists alike.
The Procedure Is Irreversible
Dental veneers are a permanent fixture in your mouth. Although they may require some minor maintenance, repairs or replacements over time; they can never be completely removed once they’ve been applied. This is because your dentist will need to carefully prepare your surrounding natural teeth and even alter their structure to perfectly fit your veneer into the space.
Dental Veneers Can Cause Tooth Sensitivity
You might experience some tooth sensitivity following the dental veneer procedure, but this is a perfectly normal side effect and should subside after a few days. To help offset the discomfort in the meantime, your dentist will recommend that you brush your teeth with a sensitivity decreasing toothpaste. If the sensitivity continues or gets worse, then you may require additional treatment.
Still not sure if dental veneers are the right choice for you? We’d love to help you decide!
Princeview Dental Group is a dental clinic located in the heart of Etobicoke’s Kingsway neighbourhood. Over the past 20+ years we’ve helped countless patients regain their confidence with beautiful shining bright smiles. Our staff is dedicated to answer your questions and make the appropriate dental and oral care recommendations that are suited to your specific needs. Contact us today to book your appointment!
