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Dental veneers are a great way of improving a smile and can do wonders for a person’s self-confidence. By changing the shape, colour, size and alignment of teeth, veneers can give you a quick smile makeover. But with the cost of porcelain veneers can be expensive in some cases, you may find yourself wondering are veneers worth it and are they the right treatment for me?
While dental veneers may be the right solution for you and could help you achieve your perfect smile, they’re not suitable for everyone. This is why it’s important to schedule a consultation with the experienced dentists at Beyond Dental Care.
They can take a look at your teeth and discuss your best veneer options or suggest alternative treatments that may help you achieve similar results. To help give you a better understanding of veneers, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons below.
Are dental veneers worth it? – The pros
Natural-looking appearance
While composite resin and porcelain dental veneers give extremely natural results, the former is not as durable and is the cheaper option of the two materials. Veneers have grown in popularity in recent years, possibly due to the number of celebrities sporting perfect white smiles courtesy of veneers. But also, advancements in dental technology means that veneers are more lifelike and more precise than ever before.
Porcelain has a similar translucency to that of teeth enamel and lets the light shine through, which is why when placed by an experienced dentist, most people would be unaware that you were wearing them.
Stain resistance
If you’re a person who enjoys regular cups of coffee, likes to socialise with friends over a glass of red wine, or smokes cigarettes, then you’re probably aware that these habits cause your teeth to stain. Porcelain veneers use a ceramic material that incorporates a hard smooth surface similar to glass. It’s also highly resistant to stain-inducing foods and beverages which makes it an ideal choice for patients that are worried about their teeth staining and the expense of ongoing teeth whitening. Composite dental veneers, on the other hand, are more prone to staining so greater care will be needed to keep them looking pristine.
Durability
While composite veneers have a lifespan of between 3 to 5 years. porcelain veneers can last for 10 years and sometimes longer. So your perfect smile could last you for some considerable time before needing to replace your veneers.
Colour range
Porcelain veneers come in a wide range of colours and can be matched to the existing shade of your natural teeth.
Alternatively, you can opt to have your teeth whitened before getting veneers and match them to your newly whitened shade.
Either way, porcelain dental veneers will blend in seamlessly with your smile. Take care when choosing the colour for your veneers since too white and your teeth could end up looking fake. Your dentist can help you choose a shade that’s suitable for your complexion, hair colour and age.
Preparation
Porcelain dental veneers can be considered a minimally invasive procedure and teeth require less preparation than when receiving dental crowns.
Are veneers worth it? – The Cons
Fragility
Even though porcelain veneers are made from strong ceramic they are thin and like natural teeth, can be chipped or broken should you be dealt a blow to the face. Everyday wear and tear can also affect the longevity of your veneers particularly if you enjoying eating hard crunchy food or grind your teeth.
If you do suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) then your dentist is likely to suggest that you wear a mouthguard at night when you sleep. Depending on the extent of damage, veneers can’t always be repaired and may need replacement.
Permanent
Unlike composite veneers which are applied directly to the teeth, porcelain dental veneers are made in a dental lab and then attached to the teeth. This typically involves removing a thin layer of tooth enamel to help with adhesion but also, to enable them to sit flush with your remaining teeth.
Unfortunately, once tooth enamel is removed, it’s lost for good which makes porcelain veneers a non-reversible treatment as there is no going back.
Cost
There’s no denying that porcelain dental veneers are a significant investment although a mid-range extras policy could reduce your bill by as much as $800. Most dentists also offer flexible payment plans to help you spread the cost of your treatment over several months.
So are dental veneers worth it to achieve your perfect smile? Ultimately only you can decide but hopefully, knowing the pros and cons will help you to make an informed decision.
If you’d like to know more about porcelain dental veneers and whether they’re a suitable option for you, why not schedule a consultation with the team at Beyond dental Care today. We can give you all the information you need. Get in touch today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
