Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that dentists can place on the front of teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers can hide stained, chipped and uneven teeth.
For some people, damaged or discolored teeth can affect their confidence or self-esteem. Dental veneers can help improve the appearance of teeth.
This article describes what dental veneers are, the different types of dental veneers, their costs, benefits, and the process of placing dental veneers.
Dental veneers are custom components designed to help hiding or correcting dental damageincluding:
- stains and discolorations
- chips and small pieces missing
- wear
- dishonesty
- spaces between the teeth
Dental veneers help improve the appearance of a person’s teeth. They can be beneficial for people who want a long-term solution to persistent cosmetic concerns — especially those that don’t respond to other dental treatments, such as teeth whitening, braces or retainers.
During the fitting process, a dentist usually removes a small amount of enamel, which is the thin protective outer covering of the teeth. Because of this, once the dentist places the veneers, a person cannot remove them or choose not to use them.
There are two types of veneer: composite material based on porcelain and resin. The following sections will describe these options in more detail.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are a strong, thin cap that the dentist can place on the tops and sides of the teeth.
To attach them, the dentist will remove some enamel from the tooth before placing them. Porcelain veneers are the same color as natural teeth, but can be made whiter to brighten the smile.
Resin-based composite veneers
Resin-based composite veneers are similar to porcelain veneers, but tend to be less expensive and require less enamel removal. Sometimes, a dentist may not need to remove any enamel before placing the composite veneer.
Composite veneers are usually easier to replace if broken or damaged than porcelain veneers.
Which type is better?
Porcelain veneers and resin-based composite veneers are similar, but there are some key differences. According to American Dental Association (ADA)these differences include:
Porcelain veneers also tend to offer a slightly more natural tooth-like appearance and can cover more discolored, misshapen teeth.
The type of veneer a person chooses will depend on their budget, needs and preferences. A dentist can help them decide which type of dental veneer will work best for them.
Dental veneers, crowns and implants can all improve the aesthetic appearance of teeth. However, there are differences between them.
One difference between veneers, crowns and implants is the area of the tooth that each option covers.
Dental veneers mainly cover the front of a tooth. Instead, crowns cover the entire tooth, including the front, back, and all sides. As a result, dentists use crowns to repair broken teeth, including teeth that have minimal structure. Crowns can also help strengthen the teeth they cover.
Implants, meanwhile, are bolt-like structures that are attached to the jawbone to replace missing teeth.
When necessary, a dentist can use an implant to secure a crown in the mouth. This can happen if a person is missing a tooth or a tooth is irreparable because it is too badly broken and needs to be removed.
Essentially, dentists use crowns to create severely damaged teeth, while implants replace missing teeth. Veneers improve the appearance of teeth that are still mostly intact.
Dental veneers vary in price based on the number of teeth a person needs covered and the expertise of the person performing the procedure.
According to ODAa person can expect to pay between $925 and $2,500 per tooth.
These costs are approximate and may vary based on:
- the type of veneer
- the amount of preparation required before the procedure
- a person’s geographic location
Since most insurance companies consider veneers a cosmetic procedure, most insurance plans do not cover the cost.
According to ODAhow the dental veneer procedure goes depends on the type of veneer a person chooses.
The following sections will describe the process for each type below.
Porcelain veneers
To apply porcelain veneers, a dentist will first remove some enamel and take an impression of the teeth to create a mold.
After this initial visit, they will send the mold to a lab that makes the custom porcelain veneers. The dentist can place temporary veneers on the teeth while a person waits for the lab to make the permanent ones.
At the next appointment, the dentist will check that the veneers fit and have a good color and make any necessary adjustments. The dentist will then bond the veneers to the teeth.
Resin-based composite veneers
To apply resin-based composite veneers, the dentist will begin by cleaning, reshaping, and preparing the teeth. After preparing the teeth, they will bond and sculpt the composite, adjusting the color so that the veneers look natural in the person’s mouth.
The dentist will then use a light to dry and harden the composite. Once the veneers have hardened, the dentist will smooth and polish them so that they look and feel like real teeth.
After the veneers are placed, the dentist may want to check them at a follow-up appointment. During this, they will take care to make sure the veneers stay in place and are comfortable for the wearer.
This is a good opportunity for a person to report if any of the veneers don’t feel right, as a dentist can help correct them.
A person with new dental veneers does not need to avoid certain foods or drinks after their appointment.
That said, because veneers can stain over time, a person may want to avoid coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as other things that can stain teeth, to make them last more.
The dentist may also advise against:
- biting hard objects
- biting the nails
- using a mouth guard
- grinding of teeth
- chewing very hard foods
- opening objects with the teeth
A person may notice rough patches on the veneers. This should improve over time. Otherwise, a person can have their dentist smooth them out. Rough patches tend to occur due to the dentist leaving extra bonding material on the veneers.
Also, a person can develop cavities even if they have veneers, so it’s important to practice good oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
With proper care, a person can expect their veneers to last 10 years. After this time, a person may need to replace them.
How long veneers last can vary depending on the materials the dentist used and how well the person takes care of them. A person can talk to their dentist about the time frames for replacement veneers.
Dental veneers are a cosmetic device that changes the appearance of a person’s teeth. Dental veneers help improve color, provide a natural tooth shape, reduce gaps, and hide chips and other minor tooth damage.
Veneers vary in both cost and durability. Porcelain veneers are generally stronger and last longer, but come with a much higher price tag. Resin-based composite veneers are more affordable but don’t last as long and can break more easily.
Dental veneers are a long-term solution to cosmetic dental problems. A person considering cosmetic dental work should discuss their options with a dentist.
