Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that matches your tooth color and are cemented to the front surfaces of your natural teeth, and are an easy way to address a variety of physical and aesthetic problems. Since this is a permanent procedure, you’ll need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the procedure before you decide to get them. Here are six things to think about and discuss with your dentist.
Pro #1: Keep Your Smile White
After years of drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes or eating highly pigmented foods eventually take their toll on your teeth, turning them an unattractive shade of yellow or brown. Stained enamel can be bleached at home or by your dentist, but it can become stained again. If you’re looking for an easier way to whiten your smile for good, dental veneers may be a good fit for you. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), veneers are highly resistant to stain so you won’t have to worry about discoloration or needing to have your veneers whitened.
Pro #2: Quick Solution For Minor Cosmetic Dental Problems
According to Dentistry Today, veneers can instantly fix slightly crooked or gapped teeth, which are usually treated with long orthodontic treatments. Veneers are attached to the front surfaces of your teeth – so although they don’t change their positions, they create a façade over minor orthodontic problems once they’re applied. Your natural teeth may crooked, but nobody will know aside from you and your dentist.
It’s important to note that veneers can’t always replace orthodontic treatment, and we may refer you to our orthodontist instead of placing veneers.
Pro #3: Replace Damaged Tooth Enamel
Your tooth enamel may still be worn down from heavy tooth brushing or eaten away by highly acidic foods and drinks. The stomach acid associated with acid reflux disease can also damage your enamel. This can be an issue, because lost enamel doesn’t grow back so this will diminish the integrity of your tooth. Fortunately, if there’s minimal wear, it can be replaced. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, veneers are an excellent treatment for teeth with enamel abrasion or enamel erosion and are aesthetically pleasing at the same time. But if there is heavy wear on your natural teeth, dental crowns are recommended rather than dental veneers.
Con #1: Takes Time To Get Used To Dental Veneers
Veneers can chip or break under pressure. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard objects, such as pencils or ice. It may take you a few days to get used to the feel of your veneers. But do let your dentist know if your bite does not feel right after the veneer has been placed. He or she will correct it before you leave the office. Keep your teeth and gums clean by brushing and flossing each day. You can still get cavities under or around veneers. Look for dental care products that show the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This says that a product has met ADA standards for safety and effectiveness.
Con #2: Tooth Sensitivity
Some people experience an increase in tooth sensitivity after getting veneers. You may feel sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures for the first few days after your procedure, but it usually goes away. Tooth sensitivity is uncomfortable and inconvenient, but you can manage it with right products. There are toothpaste for sensitive teeth that helps relieve the pain associated with tooth sensitivity and helps repair and strengthen weakened enamel.
Con #3: Permanent Dental Procedure
Veneers are considered irreversible because Dr. Sergio Aguila needs to modify the structure of your natural teeth with a dental drill. In this way, the outer layer of your enamel may be removed to make room.
Dental veneers are an excellent way to quickly hide discolored, crooked or damaged teeth, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons that come with the territory before getting them. Make an appointment with Dr. Sergio Aguila to find out if dental veneers are a fitting solution for you.
Learn more about Dental Veneer Restoration.