The Pros and Cons of Veneers: Should You Get Them?

You’ve likely heard a lot about veneers and what they can do for your smile. The only way you will know if veneers are a good option for you is to talk with your dentist. There are many pros and cons to veneers, so explore each one carefully before coming to a decision.

About Veneers

First, a bit about veneers. These are a form of cosmetic dentistry because they are designed to boost your oral health and improve your smile. You may be envious of people with bright white, perfect smiles. However, not everyone is born with teeth like that. Sometimes they need a little help, and that’s where veneers come in.

Veneers are comprised of thin pieces of porcelain, resin or other composite material, molded to fit over your teeth to enhance the overall symmetric appearance. Your dentist may recommend veneers to:

• Remedy tooth discoloration from root canals, fillings, food or beverages
• Repair chipped teeth
• Improve appearance of irregularly-shaped teeth
• Fill in gaps
• Hide injury to the teeth

Veneers are pretty long lasting, giving you about 15 years of service before needing to be replaced. There are many types of veneers:

• Porcelain
• Composite
• Instant
• Removable

Pros

The #1 reason people get veneers is to regain confidence in their smile. You may feel embarrassed about your teeth because they have been harmed in some way through injury, birth, or disease. Another check in the pro column is the ability for customization. That’s because veneers are molded to your own teeth so they won’t look unnatural. You can even choose from the exact shade you want so it matches your existing ones.

Unlike other solutions, no additional drilling or shaping is required and little to no maintenance is needed on an ongoing basis — just stay on top of brushing and flossing as normal.

Cons

As with anything, there are a couple of drawbacks to using veneers. Unlike the rest of your natural teeth, veneers don’t change color over time. Your existing ones will get yellow due to the foods and beverages you consume, so the contrast could be noticeable. However, you can always undergo teeth whitening to restore balance. One big way to avoid getting yellow teeth is to avoid food and drink that can stain your teeth, such as wine, berries, coffee, and tea.

Also, veneers are extremely delicate, so if you’re not careful about what you’re eating, they can chip or crack. Avoid chewing on ice, grinding your teeth and biting your nails. And lastly, decay can occur underneath veneers, so keep up with your normal routine of brushing and flossing diligently. Have you had gum disease or weakened enamel? Veneers may not be right for you.

Now that we’ve gone through the pros and cons, you can make a more informed decision about whether to get veneers. But no decision is complete without consulting with your dentist first. Dr. Gary Demetriou, DMD, can give you an oral exam and then discuss your best options with you.