Different things make up your first impression, and your smile is one of them. If you have even minor teeth imperfections, it can alter your smile, but you can correct the imperfection with dental veneers to improve your appearance.
Dental veneers are a common dental restoration that corrects different physical and aesthetic teeth issues.
What is a dental veneer?
Dental veneers are thin composite resin or porcelain material bonded to a damaged tooth surface using dental cement to cover different teeth imperfections. A veneer can correct teeth imperfections such as chipped or stained teeth.
Dental veneers offer a permanent option for restoring teeth imperfections, so getting all the information about the veneers, including their pros and cons, is important before placing them.
Pros
Whitens the smile
Over the years, drinking coffee, eating foods with strong colour, and smoking cigarettes can stain the teeth, making them brown or yellow. Although you can bleach your teeth at home or the dentist’s office, they can get stained again. Dental veneers are an easy option to whiten your smile in the long term. Veneers are stain-resistant, which means you won’t have to worry about teeth discolouration or undergo whitening treatments in the future.
Correct minor cosmetic issues
Veneers can correct minor misalignments, chips, cracks, gaps between the teeth and discolouration. Since the dentist will attach the veneer to the front surface of your teeth, they won’t change your teeth position but cover the minor orthodontic problems. Although your natural teeth will still remain crooked or gapped, they will not be visible.
Veneers cannot always serve as an alternative to orthodontic treatment, and before getting veneers, your dentist will examine your teeth to recommend the right treatment option for you.
Replace damaged enamel
Although the enamel is strong, it is not indestructible. Over time, the enamel may wear down from eating acidic food or drinks or brushing hard. Stomach acid from acid reflux can also damage the enamel.
Once the enamel wears down, it doesn’t grow back, but you can replace it with veneers. If you have a worn-down enamel, you can fit veneers.
Cons
Expensive
The cost or veneers vary, depending on different factors like your location, the number of teeth you want to restore or the dentist’s expertise. On average, a veneer cost £900, and most insurance plans do not cover it because it is a cosmetic procedure. However, check with your dental insurance provider if they offer full or part payment for veneers.
Increased sensitivity
Increased sensitivity is a common problem after getting dental veneers. Some people experience sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures for the first couple of days after the veneer fitting, but it subsides after a while. Tooth sensitivity causes discomfort, but some products can help relieve it.
The procedure is irreversible
Before placing the dental veneer, the dentist will alter the structure of your natural teeth. The enamel removed before placing the veneer cannot be restored, but you can replace the veneers after some years. Veneers can last for about ten years before requiring replacement, or you can opt for another restoration option.
If you have damaged, crooked or discoloured teeth and need a quick fix for your dental imperfection. Consider the pros and cons of getting dental veneers in London before fitting the veneers.