Feeling confident in your smile can change your life. Whether you’re struggling with severely chipped, cracked, or worn teeth, discoloration that can’t be solved with teeth whitening, undersized or misshapen teeth, or a number of other smile zone flaws, porcelain veneers may be the perfect solution to give you the smile you’ve been dreaming of!
At Anderson Family Dental, we always want you to feel completely confident in your treatment plan, and that means understanding all the potential benefits and pitfalls of your upcoming dental treatment. If you’re considering porcelain veneers, here are a few pros and cons of dental veneers for you to consider.
PRO: VENEERS ARE A VERSATILE WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SMILE
Porcelain veneers are an amazingly versatile way to improve your smile. With veneers, Dr. Anderson can completely rejuvenate your smile and correct a wide range of issues.
Porcelain veneers may be a great option for you if:
You have discolored teeth due to previous root canal therapy.
Your teeth are discolored or misshapen due to developmental issues such as antibiotics during childhood.
Your teeth are severely chipped, cracked, or worn down but otherwise healthy.
Your treatment plan involves dental implants or crowns and you want them to blend seamlessly into a gorgeous new smile.
You want to correct slight spacing or alignment issues without waiting for orthodontics.
You’re looking for a lasting way to get a smile you feel proud of!
CON: VEVNEERS CAN'T FIX EVERYTHING
While veneers are a great solution for many esthetic concerns, they aren’t the answer to every problem. For example, although veneers can even out the appearance of slightly crooked teeth or excess space between teeth, they’re not a replacement for orthodontic treatment. In fact, you’ll likely get the most successful and longest lasting veneer teeth results after straightening your teeth and perfecting your bite! As mentioned above, an imperfect bite can compromise the longevity of your veneers. For this reason, clear aligners like Invisalign or traditional braces might be your first step to a more perfect smile.
Likewise, if you’re suffering with poor oral health such as periodontal disease or severe decay, we want to stabilize your dental health before discussing smile esthetics. Porcelain veneers can be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all your issues, but they are ultimately a primarily cosmetic treatment. Your health always comes first!
PRO: THE VENEERS PROCESS IS QUICK AND COMFORTABLE
Porcelain veneers are a great solution for patients looking for an efficient way to get their dream smile. Unlike traditional orthodontics, veneers can correct misalignment and spacing issues almost immediately. They can deliver brilliantly white teeth that won’t become stained or darkened over time and can be used to create a comprehensive smile makeover in as few as two visits.
We want your dental veneers to look completely natural and fit seamlessly into your smile. To prevent a bulky appearance, preparing your teeth for porcelain veneers requires carefully reducing the outer layer of enamel from your teeth. This will create enough space for us to fit the thin shell of porcelain over the front of your teeth for a naturally gorgeous final result.
CON: YOUR VENEERS MAY FEEL SENSITIVE AT FIRST
Because your porcelain veneer prep involves removing a very thin layer of enamel, some patients experience tooth sensitivity immediately after their procedure. In most cases, your sensitivity will fade in a few weeks as your teeth adjust to the change. We may recommend prescription anti-sensitivity products to help resolve any lingering discomfort you experience.
PRO: VENEERS ARE A PERMANENT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR SMILE
Veneer teeth are considered a permanent way to improve the look of your teeth. Fabricated from strong, resilient materials, your veneer teeth will provide a lasting solution to many cosmetic concerns. Great home care and regular check-ups will improve the longevity of your veneer teeth. To help you get the longest-lasting results from your porcelain veneers, we may also recommend a guard to wear at night to help protect your veneers from nighttime grinding.
Other options such as composite resin veneers, also known as chairside veneers, can give you a great-looking result, but they can’t compare to the brilliance and longevity of porcelain. Porcelain veneers resist stains and maintain their gorgeous shade indefinitely with good upkeep. They also resist chipping and won’t wash out in just a few years like composite might.
CON: YOUR VENEERS WILL NEED UPKEEP
Because your porcelain veneer prep involves changing the shape of your natural teeth, the process is irreversible. While veneers are considered a permanent restoration for this reason, they don’t last forever. Veneer teeth last about ten to fifteen years before needing to be replaced and may need occasional upkeep during that time.
Porcelain veneers are susceptible to coming off with excessive biting pressure. For example, veneers are best protected by using them carefully such as avoiding biting into apples. Dr. Anderson will design your veneer teeth to be as durable as possible so you can enjoy your smile for years to come. However, issues like an uneven bite may compromise the longevity of your veneers. The good news is this is generally easily fixed with a quick visit to set your restoration back in place.
ASK US IF PORCELAIN VENEERS ARE RIGHT FOR YOU!
If you’re tired of hiding your teeth in photos and want to feel truly confident in your smile, dental veneers may be the right fit for you. Using state-of-the-art diagnostics and dental design technology, Dr. Anderson will craft gorgeous porcelain veneers with consideration for your skin tone, lip line, the shape of your gums, your facial features and face shape, and many other factors so you can enjoy a Hollywood smile that looks and feels completely natural.
For patients who may not need the extensive changes veneer teeth can provide, you may want to explore less permanent options such as teeth whitening or a more conservative approach like Invisalign to correct crowded or crooked teeth. As with all treatments, Dr. Anderson will discuss all the pros and cons of veneer teeth with you in depth to help you decide the best approach for your needs, lifestyle, and budget. If you want to explore your porcelain veneer options in Winter Park, FL, schedule your consultation with Anderson Family Dental today!