Should I Get Veneers?

Veneers can solve many cosmetic problems with your teeth. However, you must ask your dentist, “Should I get veneers?” to determine if this solution will work for you. If you do get a green light for veneers, let us at Langley Dental Care in Charlotte help you restore your smile with custom-made veneers.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin pieces of material that fit over the faces of your front teeth to cover chips or stains. For those with multiple chipped teeth, worn enamel, or stained front teeth, a row of veneers to create an even, stain-resistant smile may be the best option.

Typically, veneers come in two types – composite resin and porcelain. Of the two types, porcelain veneers are more popular. This is also the type that we choose to use at Langley Dental Care. Porcelain veneers are superior to the composite resin at resisting stains. Plus, veneers made from porcelain will last for years to come.

To ensure that you obtain the most natural look from your veneers, the dentist will carefully mold each piece and match it to the color of your surrounding teeth. Though some people only get a single veneer, if you want to completely change your front teeth’s appearance to look straighter and more even, you may want multiple veneers. For symmetry, dentists recommend an even number of veneers if you want more than one.

Because the veneers have a permanent bond to your natural teeth, the dentist will need to prepare your teeth to accept the veneers. The need to prepare the surface means that you cannot change your mind about the veneers once preparation starts. However, most people feel happy about the results of their veneers after the process completes.

Advantages of Veneers

Veneers offer multiple advantages for your smile. First, these coverings match your teeth well, so no one has to know that you have a veneer covering one of your teeth.

Secondly, veneers feel and act just like your natural teeth, too. You can brush and floss around the veneers just as you would your teeth. By taking care of your whole mouth, including the teeth that have veneers over them, you can ensure the cosmetic additions last longer and look great. In fact, you could have up to a smile that looks great with your veneers for up to a decade.

Lastly, veneers can whiten and even your smile without harsh whitening treatments or painful orthodontics. For instance, some people with discolored or crooked teeth can have veneers placed over their front teeth faces to improve their smiles. Also, those with worn enamel may have a sensitivity to whitening procedures but may have veneers to protect their teeth.

Disadvantages of Veneers

As advantageous as veneers are for some people, they do not work well for everyone or in all situations. For instance, you cannot remove veneers after having them placed on your teeth. They create a permanent bond with your natural teeth. Plus, the teeth will require preparation that makes not wearing the veneers painful. You will not be capable of removing the veneers yourself, though, due to their strong bonds. If a veneer falls off, you will need to return to your dentist to get a replacement.

Also, veneers do not replace the need for brushing or flossing your teeth. You will still need to care for your teeth regularly. If you do not properly care for all your teeth, the veneers could wear down, just as your natural teeth can.

To ensure that you have a perfect match between your veneer and the surrounding teeth, the fitting of these pieces will require multiple visits to the dentist. These appointments ensure that you get long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing covers on your teeth.

Sometimes, insurance may not cover the full cost of veneers because most providers deem them a cosmetic procedure. Talk to your insurance company about coverage or consult with your dental office about alternative payment methods before scheduling your appointment for veneer fitting.

Lastly, if you have habits such as nibbling on pens or chewing on your nails, you could crack a veneer. If this happens, you will need to pay to have the entire veneer replaced.

Should I Get Veneers?

The answer to your question, “Should I get veneers?” depends on multiple factors. For instance, if you regularly grind your teeth, you may need to find a nightguard or other solution before getting veneers. Grinding your teeth while you sleep could damage the veneers.

Secondly, veneers don’t work well on the back teeth. While veneers improve your smile, they do not have the same strength as implants or crowns. Therefore, if you have damaged or broken teeth in your mouth’s back, veneers may not offer you the biting force needed for proper chewing. Whether your teeth that need restoration are in the correct position to have veneers is the first thing that the dentist will examine.

Lastly, while veneers can cover minor chips or enamel erosion, if you have severe tooth decay that extends to the root, you may need more intensive treatment to protect the health of the tooth. Let the dentist know if you have any pain in the teeth that you will get veneers placed on before the procedure. Pain could indicate a problem such as  tooth decay that the dentist must repair first before fitting your teeth with veneers.

Schedule a Dental Assessment to Get the Answer to “Should I Get Veneers?”

Before you can get veneers, you have to talk to your dentist. At Langley Dental Care, we have veneers among our many other cosmetic dental options. If veneers don’t work well for your teeth, our dentist can help you find the best option to brighten your smile. Contact us to schedule an exam and assessment to find out if porcelain veneers will work best for restoring your smile. You can finally get an answer to your question, “Should I get veneers?” with a visit to our Charlotte office.