You may have heard about porcelain veneers and now you want to know more about them and whether they’re a good idea. This post will explain the dental procedure in detail so you can decide if porcelain veneers are right for you.
Table of Contents
- What Are Porcelain Veneers?
- Are Porcelain Veneers Right For You?
- Understanding the Procedure
- Caring for Porcelain Veneers
- How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
- How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
- Other Types of Dental Veneers
- Choosing Your New Smile
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry treatment. Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve the appearance of stained, chipped, decayed, or crooked teeth. Because porcelain is translucent like tooth enamel, porcelain veneers are considered more natural looking than other types (such as composite veneers). They’re also stronger and more resistant to chipping and staining than veneers made out of other materials.
Here you see the difference before and after getting porcelain veneers. As you can see, they can be a great solution for many people looking to correct their smile.
While porcelain veneers can help you get a more beautiful smile, the process involves removing some of your natural tooth enamel. The procedure for porcelain veneers is irreversible, but the veneers themselves will need to be replaced over time. Porcelain veneers aren’t suitable for all dental issues and they can also be more expensive than other types of veneers. In addition, because porcelain veneers are a cosmetic treatment, they may not be covered by your dental insurance.
Are Porcelain Veneers Right For You?
Porcelain veneers may be a great treatment option for you if you want to improve the appearance of your smile but don’t have any major dental issues to address.
When Porcelain Veneers May Be Suitable for You
Porcelain veneers may be suitable for you if you’re looking to improve the appearance of your teeth. They can help solve the following cosmetic dental issues:
- Worn enamel: Veneers can help cover enamel that has worn or dulled over time, whether from smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and soft drinks, or a genetic predisposition.
- Chips and cracks: If your teeth have chips, cracks, or signs of aging, veneers can help give you the appearance of youthful, healthy teeth.
- Gaps and spacing problems: Veneers can help correct the appearance of gaps and unevenly spaced teeth.
- Bite issues and uneven teeth: Grinding, gnashing, and general use can cause uneven teeth, which may lead to bite issues (malocclusion).
- Discoloration: When you can’t correct discoloration through teeth whitening procedures, veneers can offer a simple cosmetic way to improve the appearance of your teeth.
When Porcelain Veneers May Not Be Suitable for You
Porcelain veneers may not be suitable for you if you have serious oral health issues or a large number of missing teeth. Veneers are designed to conceal aesthetic imperfections, not repair or strengthen your tooth structure. For example:
- If you have cavities or gum disease, you would need to have those addressed before choosing a cosmetic treatment. Since porcelain veneers bond to the front of your teeth rather than replacing them, you can still get cavities.
- Veneers are only fitted to existing teeth, so if you have an entire tooth missing, you may wish to consider an implant instead of veneers. If you have lots of missing teeth, dentures may be better than veneers for your situation.
- Veneers are sometimes an alternative to braces, but they aren’t a replacement for the orthodontic treatment needed to correct severe alignment issues.
Porcelain veneers may also not be ideal if you don’t want to maintain and replace them over time. Instead, you may opt for temporary alternatives like snap-on veneers.
Understanding the Procedure
Getting porcelain veneers is an irreversible procedure that can be quite involved. It requires two to three visits to a dentist over approximately six weeks, with each visit taking several hours. The following explains what to expect from your porcelain veneers process.
1. At Your First Appointment, The Dentist Examines Your Teeth
First, your dentist will schedule a consultation to evaluate whether you’re a candidate for porcelain veneers and if you have any oral health issues that need to be addressed first. This may involve an x-ray. If you choose to go ahead with porcelain veneers, you’ll discuss which color is best for you by looking at a shade chart, as well as choosing the right size and shape. You may also be able to see a preview of what they’ll look like using imaging technology. Your dentist may also suggest alternative treatments.
2. Enamel Is Removed and Impressions Are Taken
After your treatment plan has been established, the next stage is to prepare your teeth. Your dentist will give you a local anesthetic for any discomfort and then prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel — a thin layer — and reshaping them. To do this, dentists typically use a small handheld rotational cutting device called a bur.
Next, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth in order to make a mold of your mouth. Some dentists do this in house using CAD/CAM technology, enabling them to create the veneers in one visit. But if they use an external dental laboratory, they’ll send the mold there to create the porcelain veneers, which could take two to four weeks. If you need to wait, you may be given temporary veneers to wear during this period. Your teeth may be more sensitive during this time.
3. At Your Second Appointment, Your Teeth Undergo the Bonding Process
At the final visit, the dentist checks the shape, color, and fit of the porcelain veneers, and then bonds them to your teeth. If you need to change anything about their appearance, you can do it at this stage. The porcelain veneers are bonded to your teeth using dental cement. The dentist may adjust and trim them several times to make sure they look right and you have the best fit possible. There’s no waiting period to eat or drink after the treatment is finished. You can go back to normal life straight after this appointment.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
You should take care not to damage your porcelain veneers because they can’t be repaired, only replaced, which could be costly and time consuming. In general, porcelain veneers don’t require specific dental care beyond practicing good oral hygiene, maintaining regular cleanings at the dentist, and being cautious not to damage them. Here are some ways you can care for your porcelain veneers, which will help them last as long as possible:
- Brush regularly using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and don’t forget to floss.
- Don’t use whitening products, as these can damage the porcelain veneers.
- Avoid biting directly into hard or crunchy foods such as carrots and nuts. Try cutting these foods up and using your back teeth to chew them.
- Don’t use your teeth as a tool to open things or gnaw on hard objects, like pencils.
- Avoid foods and drinks that can cause stains, like berries, red wine, and coffee. If you do consume these, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after.
- If you clench or grind your teeth at night (known as bruxism) your dentist may recommend an appliance to protect the veneers.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers are durable and typically last up to 10 years or longer with good care before needing to be replaced. Some studies have shown they may last up to 20 years.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
Porcelain veneers can be more expensive than other types of veneers, with a cost of between $925 and $2,500 per tooth. They can’t be repaired, so they need to be replaced if damaged, which adds to future costs. Because porcelain veneers are a cosmetic treatment, they may not be covered by your insurance.
Other Types of Dental Veneers
If you know you want veneers but aren’t sure about porcelain, you have several other alternatives to choose from. Some options are less costly, some are less invasive, and others are removable.
Composite Resin Veneers
A cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers involve a less invasive process that can often be completed in one day. However, composite veneers are more susceptible to staining and don’t usually last as long before they need to be replaced.
- Resin veneers usually cost $250 and $1,500 per tooth, which could be an advantage as they won’t likely be covered by insurance.
- They typically last up to five years or longer with proper care.
To place composite veneers, less enamel is removed from your teeth than with porcelain veneers. A tooth-colored resin is applied to the teeth directly, sculpted, and then hardened using a high-intensity light. This resin is then polished to get the right appearance, but the final result may not be as natural as porcelain.
The process is quicker with resin than porcelain veneers and can be completed in one visit since the veneers don’t need to be fabricated in a dental lab. In addition, composite resin veneers don’t alter your teeth as much as porcelain veneers, so they are easier to repair and replace.
No-Prep Veneers
No-prep veneers are a semi-permanent alternative to the traditional types of veneers, and include brands such as Vivaneers, Lumineers, and DURAthin. They’re typically made of porcelain to provide the same natural appearance but don’t require any tooth enamel to be removed. This means they can be created and fitted the same day without anesthesia.
How much they cost and how long they last depend on the specific brand. Lumineers usually cost $800 and $2,000 per tooth and may last up to ten years. No-prep veneers may be an option if you’d like to avoid a more invasive procedure, but want the translucent appearance of porcelain. Although no-prep veneers are applied over the enamel of your teeth, your teeth can still be damaged if they’re removed. As with any cosmetic procedure, they may not be covered by your insurance.
Snap-On Veneers
Snap-on veneers, also known as clip-on veneers, fit over your existing teeth like a mouthguard. They’re fully reversible and removable, making them a great option if you don’t want to commit to permanent veneers. They don’t require you to have enamel removed and won’t damage your teeth.
You can get Shiny Smile’s snap-on veneers, for example, without visiting a dentist, taking an anesthetic, or experiencing any discomfort. You create the impressions for your snap-on veneers at home using an impression kit, and then send them in the mail. You receive the customized veneers two to five weeks later (depending on the postage option you choose). With regular use, they may last one to five years (or potentially even longer). The best part? They cost only $570, making them one of the most affordable veneer options.
Choosing Your New Smile
Porcelain veneers offer a natural-looking, long-lasting way to improve the appearance of your teeth. However, they can be pricey and involve an invasive procedure at your dental office. A less costly type of permanent veneers, composite resin veneers are typically easier to repair and replace but wear out more quickly than porcelain. No-prep veneers offer the same natural appearance as porcelain but can be fitted the same day like resin. Even though no enamel is removed, this semi-permanent option may still damage your teeth when removed.
If you’re looking for a smile makeover without the irreversible commitment, Shiny Smile snap-on veneers may be perfect for you. They’re removable, non invasive, and cost a fraction of the price of more permanent veneer options.