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Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that enhance your smile by changing the shape, color, and overall look of your teeth.
Because of their cosmetic nature, they’re considered elective rather than medically necessary.
People get porcelain veneers to:
Porcelain veneers are ideal for people with minor esthetic complaints about their teeth. You may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers if you have:
Porcelain veneers may work well for someone with multiple cosmetic issues that can’t be resolved with other types of treatment.
If you’re considering investing in porcelain veneers, it’s crucial to know their benefits and drawbacks.
The pros of porcelain veneers are:
The cons of porcelain veneers include:
Schedule a visit with your dentist to discuss whether porcelain veneers are right for you.
Porcelain veneers cost between $500 and $2,500 per tooth. Insurance typically does not cover the cost of veneers, as they are considered cosmetic restorations.
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than many other dental restorations:
When deciding what dental restoration to get, it’s always a good idea to explore your options. There are many alternatives to porcelain veneers you can consider.
A composite veneer is another permanent veneer made from a tooth-colored composite resin instead of porcelain.
Composite veneers don’t require as much enamel removal as porcelain veneers, and they tend to be less expensive. However, composite veneers are not as durable, long-lasting, or stain-resistant as porcelain veneers.
Removable veneers, also known as snap-on veneers, are an alternative to veneers that you can easily remove. They are custom-made in full arches rather than tooth by tooth.
You might choose removable veneers if you don’t want permanent tooth reduction or reshaping. Removable veneers work well for temporary use for minor esthetic or structural complaints like mild misalignment or chipping.
Removable veneers are much less expensive than porcelain veneers but don’t look as natural or last as long.
A dental crown is a cap that fits over a damaged tooth. Dentists will usually recommend a crown for a tooth that’s suffered from decay or other damage.
While most people choose porcelain veneers for esthetic reasons, a dental crown can be either cosmetic or medically necessary.
Dental crowns tend to run the same price as porcelain veneers, but you can invest in just a single one and receive insurance coverage in some cases.
Many people invest in porcelain veneer to improve the esthetics of their smile, including the color. If you’re primarily interested in whiter teeth, you may consider teeth whitening techniques.
Teeth whitening comes in many forms, from toothpaste you can buy at the local pharmacy to an in-office procedure. Most in-office teeth whitening procedures cost between $200 and $1,000.
If you want to improve other aspects of your smile, such as damaged or crooked teeth, you might want to consider porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening can be a great option if you’re only interested in brightening your smile.
Once you’ve decided to get porcelain veneers, the procedure is quick and easy. It typically only takes two visits.
Here’s how the process typically goes:
Your teeth need to be reduced or reshaped before placing veneers. Your dentist will remove some enamel from the front and sides of your teeth to make room for the veneer.
Your dentist then makes an impression, or mold, of your teeth. The dental lab will later use this impression to model your custom veneers.
You and your dentist will decide on a veneer shade that best matches your smile so that the veneer looks natural.
Your dentist will send the tooth impression to a dental lab that custom-makes the porcelain veneers.
This step can take several weeks, so your dentist will cover the teeth with temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
At your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary veneers and place the permanent veneers on your teeth. They’ll check the fit and confirm that you’re satisfied with how it looks and feels.
If you’re satisfied with how the veneers turned out, your dentist will permanently bond them to your teeth. They will clean and prepare your teeth before bonding the veneers to them.
It can take up to two weeks to adjust to your new veneers. During this time, you may notice:
These issues should resolve within a few weeks. Contact your dentist if they persist beyond that time period.
You should care for your veneers like you would your natural teeth.
Practicing good oral hygiene will increase the longevity of your porcelain veneers and help prevent oral infections and gum disease.
Some tips for caring for your porcelain veneers are:
Porcelain veneers are thin, shell-like dental restorations that fit over your teeth. They’re ideal for minor tooth misalignment, damage, or discoloration.
The procedure for getting porcelain veneers involves reducing or reshaping your teeth. Your dentist will then make an impression of your teeth and send them to the lab for manufacturing. At your second visit, your dentist will permanently bond the veneers to your teeth.
Porcelain veneers can be more expensive than other restorations, but they are durable and long-lasting. If you take care of your veneers like you would your real teeth, you can have them for up to 20 years.
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