The Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of ceramic fused on to the outer side of your teeth, primarily intended to cover yellowed teeth, make them whiter, and make your teeth look brighter. They are mainly recognized as a smile-makeover solution that is durable and lasting. But, makeover solutions they may be, they are still a medical process and have their pros and cons. Here we look at the main pros and cons of porcelain veneers:

Pros of Porcelain Veneers

Natural-looking Teeth

Like tooth enamel, porcelain is white and translucent as well. This means light reflects off porcelain just as it does with tooth enamel; reflecting off the layer that is underneath them. The layer under the enamel is the yellow dentin and the layer under porcelain is the dental adhesive that bonds it to the teeth. Therefore, porcelain veneers look natural and make your teeth look naturally white.

Stain Resistant

Stains roll or wipe off porcelain just as they do with glass, thanks to porcelain being ceramic. Thus, porcelain veneers are made not just to whiten your teeth initially but to keep them white, even if you often consume stain-producing foods and beverages.

Longevity and Durability

Porcelain veneers are strong and can last up to 10-20 years as long as they are cared for well.

Instant Result

The result in the case of this medical beauty solution is instant. You don’t have to wait months or go through multiple appointments for the results to start to show.

Cons of Porcelain Veneers

Possibility of Damage

It is true that porcelain veneers can last for years and remain intact as well but there is always the possibility of it breaking, coming off, or chipping. If it comes off, your dentist will more than likely reattach it, but in case it breaks, you will have to get the process done all over again. Keeping them in good care and not using your teeth for things like opening product packaging will generally keep your veneer safe.

Irreversible Process

Once you get porcelain veneers, you cannot change your mind. A part of your enamel is removed to bond the veneer that entirely changes the look of your teeth. Without the veneer, your teeth can look unaesthetic.

Higher Tooth Sensitivity

If you hate how your teeth react to hot or cold foods and beverages, rethink your decision to get porcelain veneers. They can increase your tooth sensitivity due to the enamel that is removed in the process. However, increased sensitivity might not occur or may just be temporary.

Typically, the pros always outweigh the cons in the case of porcelain veneers as they are such a simple and effective solution. But it is different for everyone, so it is best to know the pros and cons beforehand.

Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?

There are many times in our lives when our smiles are vital to making a good first impression. If you aren’t confident with your smile, you may shy away from a proper, confident introduction. Fortunately, advances in dental technology have led to ways to enhance the appearance of your smile, and veneers are one of the most popular methods. These thin porcelain shells work by bonding to the surface of your teeth to conceal imperfections, and they can go a long way in improving your smile.

A veneer is a thin piece of plastic or porcelain cemented to the front portion of your teeth to alter their shape or color. Porcelain veneers in Florida are used for patients who have teeth with surfaces that are uneven, or teeth that have become discolored or chipped. They can correct crooked, unevenly spaced and oddly shaped teeth, as well. When veneers are placed on a patient, they require very little (if any) anesthesia. Veneers offer a longer life expectancy than bonding and are highly resistant to the staining that often occurs due to coffee, tea and cigarette smoke.

Creating Your Custom Veneers

If your teeth are evaluated and it is determined that veneers are the right option, there is a multi-step process used to ensure a seamless application and perfect fit. In fact, in addition to requiring several steps, the creation and placement of the veneers can take up to three appointments.

Appointment 1: Diagnosis and treatment planning

Appointment 2: Preparation for veneer application

Appointment 3: Veneer placement

During the initial visit, your dentist carefully evaluates your teeth to ensure the veneers are the right option for treatment. The preparation appointment will typically last a few hours and during it the dental hygienist will buff the surfaces of the teeth to allow for the additional thickness of the future veneer. During this visit, a mold will be taken of the teeth, as well. This will allow a custom veneer to be created.

The last visit is when the custom made veneer is actually attached to your teeth. The bonding process will take approximately two hours. Once the cement and veneer are in place, a special light or laser is used to secure the application.

What Does a Consultation for Porcelain Veneers Look Like?

If you are interested in porcelain veneers, it is important to request an evaluation to discuss how the system might be able to help improve your smile. An ideal candidate will display the following characteristics:

• Teeth that are free of decay and generally healthy
• A properly aligned bite
• Adequate amounts of tooth enamel to support the veneer once teeth have been prepped
• No signs of gum disease
• No history of grinding or habitually clenching the teeth

Your cosmetic dentist will complete a smile analysis to determine what steps need to be taken to get you the smile that you are looking for. A diagnostic mock-up may be created so that you can try on veneers to get an idea of the final result.

Enhancing Your Smile

Porcelain veneers will help improve a number of aesthetic issues with your teeth. From crooked teeth to ones that are stained or discolored, veneers offer solutions for a number of issues. They will improve your smile and ensure it looks beautiful years down the road.

If you believe that veneers may be beneficial for your smile, you just need to contact your dentist today. They can schedule the initial evaluation appointment to make sure this option suits your particular needs There is no reason to settle for a less than perfect smile when you can easily achieve a beautiful, flaw-free smile that you love to show off.

How Are Porcelain Veneers Made?

Porcelain veneers consist of thin ceramic layers that are used to replace the original enamel of the teeth. When a veneer is applied, a small amount of the original enamel needs to be removed, but this is usually less than a millimeter in size. By removing the enamel, enough room will remain so that the porcelain veneer can fit into the mouth. Once the veneer is applied, it will restore the natural function of the tooth while leaving you with a beautiful smile.

A strong bond is needed between the veneer and the original tooth. Not only does a strong bond ensure that the veneer functions properly, but it is also necessary for esthetic perfection. In order to create this bond, the light-sensitive resin will be placed between the veneer and the original tooth, and then a specialized curing light is used to harden it.

How to Clean Your Porcelain Veneers?

If you are considering porcelain veneers as a way to improve your smile, the level of maintenance you will be responsible for can be a deciding factor. Fortunately, maintaining veneers is a simple process if you treat them the same as you treat your original teeth. Frequent brushing and flossing are necessary, but a non-abrasive toothpaste may be recommended by your dentist.

Once your veneers have been placed, you will need to return for a follow-up check within a week. Your dentist will check to see how your mouth is reacting to your new veneers. If the veneers are thought to be a success, you will be on your way to enjoying your new smile permanently. If issues are spotted, such as clenching or grinding, your dentist can take preventative methods like prescribing a mouth guard so that you don’t damage your new dental work.

Is The Higher Porcelain Veneers Cost Worth It?

An injured mouth may mean a wounded soul. If you’re afraid to smile for your cracked tooth or teeth, then you’re depriving yourself of a valuable necessity. Most of us need and deserve happiness in our own lives. Don’t be afraid to share yours with the world.

We have all seen people in public and maybe even somebody who we know who is afraid to show their smile. It’s that quick cover of their mouth as they start to laugh that gives it all away. Don’t be robbed of this pure pleasure. Do something for yourself that will be present to everybody who understands you personally, as well. Do your mouth a favor and see your dentist as soon as you get hurt. Oral damages may lead to other health problems, and your health should be your main priority.

Upon arrival at the dentist, you will find a full mouth scan. These pictures will give the technician the entire picture of your oral health. You and your dentist will discuss what has to be done to repair your mouth from the inside out.

Don’t let someone convince you to go the inexpensive way out and get veneers which simply don’t stand up over time. Only porcelain veneers are powerful enough to achieve that. They are extremely unlikely to break, but in the off chance, they are doing, fixing them won’t be as much of a burden as constantly repairing other veneers. These are your new teeth we are speaking about, make them the best possible replacement for the true thing which you can.

The cost of porcelain veneers is much more for a range of reasons. Porcelain veneers not only look better, but you will be happy that you spent the money now, rather than spending it over and over again on lower-end veneers. Porcelain can be lab-created to appear the same color as the tooth it’s fixing. This way there’s a seamless transition from the tooth to the veneer.

Porcelain veneers are so great that nobody will know they aren’t considering your natural teeth. You may understand why porcelain veneers cost more when you determine what a difference that they make. Your new smile will show the world how much good dental health means to you.

Care for your mouth and get porcelain veneers to your chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth. They are the fastest way to straight, beautiful teeth. You have a million-dollar smile, is not it worth a little investment? Ask to see pictures of porcelain veneers along with other fabricated veneers. Your dentist will be pleased to show you just why porcelain veneers cost more.

Tips for Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers

You’ve finally made the decision to revamp your smile with porcelain veneers- congratulations! Now you can venture out into the world with a beautiful, straight smile. However, your work isn’t done after you’ve had your veneers put into place, and there are several steps you’ll need to take to keep them safe. By taking a proactive approach to caring for your veneers, you can get the most out of your stunning new smile.

Don’t Chew on Inedible Items

Do you have a bad habit of chewing on pens, or are you a nail biter? Not only are these habits gross and a social faux pas, but they can also actually lead to damage of your porcelain veneers over time. To protect your cosmetic dental work, make an effort to keep inedible items out of your mouth. 

Get Your Veneers Polished

Cosmetic dentists can help to preserve the life of your dental work by polishing your veneers. This procedure can be performed approximately once every three months. A dentist will use specialized solutions and equipment to ensure that your veneers and original teeth are thoroughly cleaned. However, polishing your veneers doesn’t mean that you can slack on your own dental hygiene. Flossing and brushing your teeth frequently can allow you to enjoy longer results after polishing, and you can go long periods of time between each session. 

Avoid Substances that May Cause Stains

Porcelain veneers are designed to be stain-resistant, but that fact isn’t the same for your natural tooth structure. In order to keep your smile looking its whitest, you should be wary of substances that might stain your veneers, including cigarettes, coffee, soda, red wine, tea, berries, and beets. If you do enjoy one of these items, be sure to brush and floss your teeth immediately afterward to minimize the likelihood that stains will develop.

Protect Your Teeth

Do you play sports or other contact activities in which the health of your teeth might be at risk? If so, you will want to wear a mouth guard or other form of protection to ensure that your veneers are safe. Basketball, football, wrestling, and other contact sports may put your beautiful new smile in danger. By protecting your teeth from potential trauma, you are saving yourself a lot of pain, not to mention the cost that would be required to repair your smile.

Quit Grinding

Many people suffer from tooth grinding, whether they realize it or not. Tooth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism, is a serious issue involving the clutching and shifting of the teeth during sleep. If you continue to grind your teeth without seeking treatment, you can damage your porcelain veneers. Damage may also occur to your original teeth and the jaw joint, so if you suspect that you are a nighttime grinder, consult with your dentist about treatment options. He or she may fit you for a nighttime mouth guard that can help to protect your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding.

Reshape Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers can help you achieve the beautiful smile you want and deserve. There is no question that you deserve to have a sense of renewed confidence, and this is available with a new smile. Porcelain veneers are a common procedure offered by dentists offering cosmetic dentistry in Florida services.

Some of the problems that porcelain veneers can fix include the following:

• Overlapping teeth, gaps, or spaces resulting from genetics
• Damage or breakage from trauma or an injury
• Discolorations or stains from medications, coffee, or smoking
• Jagged or chipped edges from aging or using your teeth in inappropriate ways
• Uneven or excessive wear from grinding or poor tooth alignment

There are a number of other reasons it is a good idea to use porcelain veneers for reshaping your smile, as well. Some of these reasons include:

• They are natural-looking and beautiful
• They reflect light just like your natural teeth do
• They are strong
• They are durable
• They are a conservative option and not much of your natural tooth has to be filed
• They can repel stains to remain sparkling white

If you are interested in improving your smile with porcelain veneers, the best thing to do is schedule a consolation with your dentist. They can evaluate your smile and teeth and easily determine whether or not the veneers are the right option for you.

In most cases, porcelain veneers are only an option for individuals who have cosmetic imperfections with their teeth. They are not ideal for bigger dental issues that many people suffer, this is why it is important to speak with your dentist about the options that are available.

Remember, any dental procedure requires an investment. This is an investment of time and money so it is important to be sure that this is what you want to do. Learning more about porcelain veneers will help you easily determine whether or not porcelain veneers are right for you.

What are you waiting for, there is no reason to suffer from chipped, stained or otherwise imperfect teeth. With porcelain veneers, you can say goodbye to your less-than-perfect smile and enjoy having a beautiful, gleaming smile, once and for all. Contact your dentist today to learn more about parceling veneers, as well as other procedures that are available to fix your imperfect smile.

Are You in the Market for Florida Porcelain Veneers?

Lumineers® is a veneer brand utilized in cosmetic dentistry. Having knowledge of Lumineers® will require first taking a look at veneers. Veneers are a kind of tooth covering which is bonded to an individual’s teeth to improve his/her smile. For instance, veneers may be used by our Florida Porcelain Veneers office to cover misshapen, discolored, overly large, overly small, damages, or crooked teeth, permitting an individual to have a more uniform, whiter smile.

Choose our Florida Porcelain Veneers service

The Lumineers® veneer brand is made by Den-Mat Corporation. They’re made out of a patented kind of porcelain referred to as Cerinate®, considered extremely strong. Due to its strength, it may be altered to become an extremely thin material. As a matter of fact, this veneer brand might be as thin as .007”.

Oftentimes, discussions of Lumineers® involve a comparison to additional kinds of veneers, called traditional porcelain veneers. Usually, such veneers are at least around .01” thick. As such, they might be considered a more challenging choice in cosmetic dentistry. For instance, with traditional veneers, it might be necessary to drill an individual’s teeth to fit the veneers without having to make the altered teeth look too strange or bulky; it’s because the veneers are so very thick. However, with Lumineers®, the veneers are a lot thinner and might not require any drilling, whatsoever; they’re made to fit without having to grind away the surface of the tooth.

Lumineers® veneers often are marketed as cosmetic dentistry that is painless. Since there often isn’t a need to drill or grind an individual’s teeth down to apply them, there might not be a need for a numbing or anesthetic needle. For most people, that means a painless experience in cosmetic dentistry.

Also, Lumineers® might provide other benefits over traditional veneers. This brand of veneers, according to its manufacturers, resists micro-cracking and leaking to a greater extent than traditional veneers will. Unlike with traditional choices, an individual doesn’t have to wear temporary veneers as they’re created. Also, they might cost less than traditional veneers yet last just as long.

It’s worth stating that these veneers don’t always provide for a no-reduction, no-drilling experience. It depends upon the special needs of a patient and the condition of his or her teeth. In some instances, the reduction might be needed, even with this veneer brand.

For more information on our Florida Porcelain Veneers from Friedman Dental Group contact at 1-866-341-6395.

Last Reviewed by Dr. Eli Friedman on December 18, 2020