KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or resin molded to your teeth to fix discoloration, chips, gaps, and irregular shapes
- The big draw is confidence. They look natural, match your chosen shade, and are hard to tell apart from real teeth
- They’re low maintenance. No special care needed, just keep brushing and flossing as usual
- Veneers can last up to 15 years, but they’re delicate, so no chewing ice, grinding, or nail biting
- They’re not for everyone. Decay can still form underneath veneers, so prior gum disease or weak enamel is worth discussing first
- Active decay or gum disease must be treated before veneers go on
- Veneers are cosmetic, not protective. The tooth underneath still needs daily care to stay healthy
Veneers might be perfect for you, or not
If you have been thinking about getting veneers, ask your trusted dentist about them and do your own research. Armed with information, you’ll know, especially after a conversation with your dentist, whether or not veneers are a good option for your situation. Veneers fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry, which is designed to improve your smile and oral health. You may see celebrities on TV or people about town who smile and flash perfect teeth. They’re not all born that way. Sometimes they have help, and many times, it’s through the use of veneers.
There are many positives and negatives to veneers, so let’s explore them.
Veneers: What Are They?
Made up of thin pieces of porcelain, resin or other composite material, veneers are actually molded to fit your teeth. They boost the whiteness and overall symmetric appearance of your teeth in size, color or shape. People choose veneers for many reasons:
- To restore white color due to tooth discoloration from root canals, fillings, food or beverages
- To repair chipped or broken teeth
- To improve the appearance of irregularly-shaped teeth
- To fill gaps
- To mask injury done to the teeth
Did you know they can last up to about 15 years before replacement is required? You can choose from a variety of veneer types, including:
- Porcelain
- Composite
- Instant
- Removable
When You Get Veneers, What Happens to Your Teeth?
To place traditional porcelain veneers, your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel, about half a millimeter, from the front of each tooth so the veneer sits flush and looks natural. Since enamel doesn’t grow back, this change is permanent. Your natural teeth stay intact underneath and still need regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, since decay can form along the veneer’s edges. No-prep options like Lumineers need little to no enamel removal and can sometimes be reversed.
Pros
Veneers are desirable for one main reason: to restore confidence in a person’s smile. Whether from injury, birth, or disease, your teeth may have suffered damage over the years. You may want to see a perfect smile when you look in the mirror. For that, veneers are an excellent fix. Because they can be molded to your teeth, customization is another big selling point. It’s tough to even tell the difference between your tooth and the veneer!
Other perks? Minimal preparation is needed compared to many other procedures, and once placed, veneers don’t require extra maintenance. Just keep brushing and flossing like you normally would. You can also select the shade of white you want, which can be as close to your natural color as possible so the result isn’t as noticeable.
Cons
While the pros outweigh the cons in many respects, there are a few drawbacks to them that your dentist would like you to know. Because veneers don’t change color like natural teeth do, you may see a contrast over time as your natural teeth start to yellow and the veneers stay stark white. Nothing a little teeth whitening won’t cure! Plus, this change shouldn’t be quite so dramatic if you’re continuing to brush and floss like normal.
Because veneers are delicate, they can chip or crack if you’re not careful when eating. You can’t chew ice, grind your teeth, bite your nails, or engage in any other bad habits that would compromise your veneers. And remember, just because you have veneers doesn’t mean decay can’t still happen underneath. If you have experienced gum disease or weakened enamel before, think twice about getting veneers.
Again, though, it’s always important to have a conversation and a visit with your dentist to go over all your options.
Can You Get Veneers If You Have Cavities?
Not until the cavities are treated. A veneer covers the front of a tooth, it doesn’t seal decay, so placing one over a cavity just traps the problem where it can keep spreading. Once your dentist clears the decay and confirms the tooth is healthy, veneers are usually back on the table. That’s why the process always starts with an exam.
Do Veneers Help or Hurt Your Oral Health?
Neither, on their own. Veneers are cosmetic, so the natural tooth underneath still needs brushing, flossing, and cleanings to stay healthy. Skip that and decay can form along the edges. Keep up your habits and veneers sit comfortably on a healthy mouth, working best as the finishing touch, not a substitute for care.
Veneers can wait. A good consultation can’t
Veneers can transform a smile, but the right fix depends on your teeth, your habits, and your goals. The only way to know if they’re right for you is a straight conversation with a dentist who’ll lay out every option. That’s what you get with the cosmetic dentist in North Andover, Dr. Gary C. Demetriou, DMD.
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Call 978-794-0010 or book online.