Dental veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, are shells of tooth-coloured materials custom-made to provide a wafer-thin “cover” for the front surface of one’s teeth that improve their appearance. Once secured to the front of the teeth the color, size, shape, and length can be changed. Because they completely makeover your smile, they are considered cosmetic dentistry, but there is no surgery involved and they are far less invasive than crowns. Porcelain is used because it resists staining and looks more natural than composite materials.
Dental veneers are used in cases where braces or other orthodontic methods would be ineffective. In today’s fast-paced world where instant results are applauded, the two week wait time for these is the best option for some. With veneers coming in anywhere from one to two thousand dollars per tooth, which is better than crowns. The benefits of both are the fact that they are done and permanent. Veneers that are done properly remain to look good as long as you take care of your mouth.
Crowns can be made to look aesthetically pleasing as well as veneers, but a crown encompasses an entire tooth. This is great for strengthening an already weak tooth. For a healthy tooth that just needs reshaping, it is unnecessary as more of the enamel has to be filed off to make room for the crown. If you are looking to simply make your smile look better, veneers should be the first thing to consider because it just lays on top.
Braces can run from twenty-five hundred dollars to nine thousand, but that is for the whole mouth and includes check-ups. The biggest complaint with braces is the wait time. Braces are better for mouths with teeth that are turned wrong or are overcrowded. Once the braces are gone, a retainer has to be worn for several years to ensure that teeth do not return to their improper starting position. Also with traditional braces, food can get trapped around the brackets causing staining.
Reasons for getting veneers include:
- You do not like your smile
- Your teeth do not look healthy
- Whitening treatments do not work for the stains on your teeth
- You have small to large gaps between your teeth
- Your teeth are worn down
- Your teeth are misaligned or are shaped oddly in a way that you do not like
This is cosmetic dentistry so your reasons can be aesthetic or medical in nature. Your dentist is not there to judge but to assess your candidacy for the procedure. If you are in overall good health, good oral health, has an appropriate amount of tooth enamel, and is committed to caring for your mouth your dentist will help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. Porcelain veneers may not be the answer for your particular complaint, but they are an amazing option. Your smile is the first thing people see and you should feel confident with it. If you want to dramatically change your smile and attitude, look into getting veneers today.
