As you scroll through your old Instagram and Facebook photos, your eyes aren’t drawn to the loving family surrounding you, the beautiful beach in the background, or the new ‘do you felt like showing off one day. All you see is the chip in your front tooth.
You’ve smiled with that chipped tooth long enough. You’re ready for it to go. The good news? It can — with a veneer.
A veneer is a covering designed to conceal a cosmetic blemish in your tooth. It’s a relatively quick and easy way to transform your smile. Are veneers worth it, though? Let’s explore how veneers are done, which veneers are better, and how veneers may improve your smile.
Veneers: Are They Worth It?
Veneers are shells that go over your teeth’s front sides. A veneer can cover an imperfection like a stain or gap between teeth. This dental covering can also improve the appearance of a broken or worn-down tooth. Whether veneers are worth it depends on the severity of the flaw you’re trying to mask and your budget (more on these factors next).
What To Consider When Getting Veneers
When exploring whether veneers are worth it, consider the cost. This procedure may cost you around $600 to $2,500 for each tooth based on the following factors:
- Type of veneer (more on this later)
- Amount of preparation work required
- Physical location
- Whether any other dental work (e.g., tooth filling) needs to be done first
Remember that you don’t need a veneer for every tooth. Veneers are usually used to address problems with certain teeth, so getting them for your entire mouth is unnecessary. Just one or two veneers may be all you need to enhance your smile, in which case veneers may be worth the investment. Let’s review a few other essential factors to consider when determining whether veneers are worth it.
How Long Veneers Last
Your veneers will likely last between five and 15 years. Prepare to replace worn-out veneers with fresh ones every several years.
Kinds of Veneers
Three kinds of veneers exist: porcelain, ceramic, and composite. Let’s examine which veneers are better for your needs.
A porcelain veneer is the most in-demand option since it looks most like your natural enamel (your tooth’s hard outer layer). It doesn’t stain easily and may last for two decades when cared for correctly.
Ceramic veneers are an excellent option if your budget is a major deciding factor. These veneers are typically cheaper than porcelain ones. The challenge with a ceramic veneer is that its material has pores, which means it’s more likely to stain.
Compositive veneers are another good option for patients seeking an affordable smile transformation procedure. Preparing your tooth for a composite veneer is also quick — a major benefit for patients who don’t have much time to spend in the dentist’s office. The downside of these veneers is that they aren’t as durable and long-lasting as porcelain ones.
How Veneers Are Done
You may wonder how veneers are installed as you investigate whether veneers are worth it. Discover how veneers are done in the following steps.
Initial Consult
Schedule a consultation with a reputable dentist. They’ll examine your pearly whites, discuss your aims, and tell you whether veneers will help you achieve your goal. Your dentist can also explain the veneer process to you to clear up any confusion about the treatment.
Preparing Your Tooth For a Veneer
The second step in the procedure is to remove some of the outer layer of the tooth you’ll be applying a veneer to. Your dentist must remove just enough to give your veneer plenty of room to rest on the tooth. You might receive a local anesthetic to avoid feeling discomfort during the procedure.
Taking An Impression
The dental office staff will take an impression of your natural teeth. They’ll send the impression to a lab so a tech can develop a personalized veneer for you. The ideal veneer will fit well with your other teeth’s hues and shapes.
Getting a Temporary Veneer
Your dentist will give you a temporary veneer while the dental lab works on your permanent one. Foods and drinks that stain teeth, like coffee and tomato sauce, should be avoided.
Veneer Bonding
Your permanent veneer will replace your temporary one once the lab is finished creating it. Your dental team will check the new veneer to ensure it blends in with the rest of your teeth before applying it to the tooth being worked on. If they approve of the permanent veneer, they’ll etch your tooth surface to make it feel coarse. Then, they’ll put an adhesive on the veneer and set it in place on the coarse area. A special curing light will help make the adhesive hard so the veneer remains secure against your natural tooth.
Speak With Alondra Dental Care About Whether Veneers Are Worth It
At Alondra Dental Care, we can show you how veneers are done and if veneers are worth it. We’ll also gladly review our other services, from dental implants to teeth whitening, and how they can improve your smile.
We take pride in our personalized service, affordability, care, and commitment. We also offer a comfortable office experience; we encourage our patients to bring headphones and music to make their visits as enjoyable as possible. Request an appointment today!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are veneers worth it for everyone?
Not necessarily. A veneer is ideal for most patients, but it’s inappropriate for someone with unresolved dental problems, like gum disease or cavities.
2. How do you take care of veneers?
Keep your veneers in excellent condition by brushing/flossing regularly and visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup. Avoid eating hard food items (e.g., seeds).
3. Based on how veneers are done, are they reversible?
A veneer is a lifelong commitment because a veneer procedure isn’t reversible: The effects on your natural teeth are permanent. Veneers are still worth it for many patients since they can instantly elevate their smiles.
