If you have a stained, chipped, or otherwise imperfect tooth, veneers provide a cosmetic option to make your smile more beautiful. Dental veneers are thin pieces of composite or porcelain material that cover tooth imperfections. They do not strengthen or repair teeth—they are designed solely to improve the appearance of front teeth. For people with good oral health and slight imperfections in their front teeth, veneers can be made to match your teeth and make a tooth or teeth look better.
Veneer Options
As an entirely cosmetic solution, veneers are made to cover the front surface of teeth. The two main types of veneers are comprised of a composite resin material or porcelain. The veneer will be color matched and custom fit to your teeth. At Uptown Dental in Marion, we use the latest technology to produce ceramic veneers in our office, saving you time by completing veneers in one visit. This avoids multiple visits and weeks waiting for temporary veneers that other cosmetic dentists may have to order.
To create a strong bond with the tooth, it is necessary to rough up the tooth enamel. In other words, once you have a veneer on a tooth, you will always need a veneer on that tooth.
While “no-prep” and removable veneers are available today, the fact that they are less permanent also means they are less reliable. These types of veneers may not last as long, and they could fall off while eating or make it difficult to talk.
Veneers Do Not Repair Teeth
Dental veneers are not designed for repairing teeth. Crowns and composite fillings are the best practices for filling large chips and decayed teeth. Composite fillings and crowns both provide more permanent structural repair techniques, and both can be color matched to front teeth that need fixed. The same is true for dental implants, a process reserved for missing or badly damaged teeth that need removed.
When considering veneers to improve your smile, take note of the downsides of veneers, too. First, they are irreversible due to the removal of the tooth enamel that is required. Veneers last 10 to 15 years, so you will need another veneer in the future. Plus, they are not covered by most insurance, which is an important factor for many people as they age. Finally, they can cause increased tooth sensitivity, and you should avoid biting into apples, carrots, tough meat, and other crunchy foods. Veneers require good dental care with gentle toothpaste products.
Talk with your dentist to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of veneers and other cosmetic dentistry, such as aligners and teeth whitening. At Uptown Dental, we provide restorative and cosmetic dental care to brighten and straighten your smile. Contact us for an appointment today—new patients welcome.