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Dentistry
General
Malocclusion
Cosmetic
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Dental veneers are custom, tooth-colored shells that fit over the front of your teeth. The purpose of veneers is to change the shape, color, size, and/or appearance of your natural teeth.
In cosmetic dentistry, veneers are sometimes referred to as a “smile makeover.”
Veneers are most commonly placed over front teeth rather than back molars. They cannot replace missing teeth.
Veneers fix:
Veneer shells are typically made of porcelain. However, there are a few different types of veneers to choose from, including:
Porcelain is the most esthetic and least harmful material available for dental restorations. It is also the strongest and longest-lasting of all veneer materials.
Porcelain laminate veneers are extremely biocompatible, which means they rarely injure the gum tissues and surrounding soft tissues in the mouth. These veneers can significantly improve the appearance of your smile because porcelain is very natural-looking.
Porcelain veneers are a permanent solution and require some tooth shaving before placement.
| Pros of Porcelain Laminate Veneers | Cons of Porcelain Laminate Veneers |
| Blend in with your natural tooth color | Expensive ($925 to $2500 per tooth) |
| The veneers themselves are stain-resistant | Lengthy and invasive procedure |
| Uniform/ consistent smooth texture | May fracture, chip, break, or fall off, especially in people who grind their teeth |
| Do not harm your gums or surrounding teeth | |
| Last 8 to 15 years if taken care of |
CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) porcelain veneers are a new, popular option that provide same-day results. CEREC veneers use high-quality 3D software to design a new, beautiful smile in hours.
Summary
Porcelain veneers are the most popular, natural-looking, and durable option. But they are also the most expensive.
Composite veneers are made of composite resin, a mixture of inorganic and organic materials. The natural materials include the initiator, the resin, and the coupling agent. The primary inorganic material in composite resin is the filler.
The bonding material used to make composite resin veneers is the same as tooth-colored dental fillings. While strong, composite veneers are not as durable as porcelain.
Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain veneers. Although they blend in fairly well with your natural tooth color, they are prone to collect stains over time. Additionally, they may last up to 5 to 7 years.
These veneers are a permanent solution and may require some tooth shaving before placement.
| Pros of Composite Veneers | Cons of Composite Veneers |
| Less invasive procedure (less enamel removal) | Weaker and more prone to stains over time than porcelain veneers |
| They look natural but can stain over time | Do not last as long as porcelain veneers |
| Low chance of harming your gum tissue | Lengthy procedure |
| Easily repaired if chipped or broken | |
| Only requires a single visit and no temporary restorations | |
| Last up to 5 to 7 years | |
| Less expensive than porcelain veneers ($250 to $1500 per tooth) |
Summary
Composite veneers are made of the same material as most dental fillings. They are relatively durable but do not last as long as porcelain veneers.
Lumineers are a brand of veneers. They are made of ultra-thin porcelain laminate material and require minimal preparation before placement. Unlike porcelain veneers, less natural tooth structure is removed before placing a lumineer over your tooth enamel.
Lumineers are commonly used to treat discolored and irregularly shaped teeth. They are smooth to the touch, so they also look and feel natural.
| Pros of Lumineers | Cons of Lumineers |
| They are reversible | Shorter lifespan than traditional veneers |
| Require less tooth preparation before placement | Less natural-looking than veneers |
| Slightly less expensive than porcelain veneers ($800 to $2,000 per tooth) | More prone to fracture and damage |
Summary
Lumineers are a more affordable brand of veneers that do not require tooth removal before placement.
Removable veneers are also called snap-on veneers. There are two types of removable veneers:
Instant veneers, from companies such as Instant Smile, are cheap ($20 to $50) cosmetic teeth. You fit them into your mouth by placing them in hot water and pressing your teeth into the soft-fitting material.
Instant veneers are not recommended for daily use or as a long-term dental solution.
Custom snap-on veneers are high-quality removable veneers. First, an impression of your teeth is made. Then the impression is sent to a dental lab. The dental lab technicians create a custom-fit set of veneers for you, which then get mailed out.
Dentists always recommend permanent veneers over temporary alternatives.
| Pros of Removable Veneers | Cons of Removable Veneers |
| Little to no preparation | Prone to plaque build-up |
| They are much cheaper than other options | Can harm gums overtime |
| Not as natural looking | |
| Short-term option | |
| May mask more serious issues |
Read more about snap-on veneers.
Summary
Removable veneers are not a long-term dental solution. They provide instant results but are not durable and natural-looking like traditional veneers.
The cost of veneer treatment depends on various factors, including:
A single veneer can cost anywhere between $600 and $2,500. Insurance does not cover the cost of veneers because they are considered cosmetic (not medically necessary).
Yes, you can eat with removable veneers in your mouth. You should clean them after each meal.
Snap-on veneers are a cheaper and less durable alternative to traditional veneers. While they may work in the short-term, removable veneers are less natural-looking and more prone to damage over time.
Popular brands of snap-on veneers include Alpha Veneers, insta®smile, NYC Veneers™, TruSmile™ Removable Veneers, and Removable Veneers USA™.
Composite veneers will not ruin your teeth or negatively impact your oral health. However, minor tooth removal is necessary before the veneer is placed. A composite veneer cannot be removed because your natural tooth structure will not grow back.
Porcelain and composite veneers are irremovable. Lumineers and snap-on veneers can be removed but are less durable than traditional teeth veneers.
The material used for composite bonding and composite veneers is the same.
The main difference between the two restorations is that a bond covers a portion of your tooth, while a veneer covers your entire tooth.
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