In this Article

• What types of problems do dental veneers fix?
• What's the procedure for getting a dental veneer?
• What are the advantages of dental veneers?
• What are the disadvantages of dental veneers?
• How long do dental veneers last?
• Do dental veneers require special care?
• Are there alternatives to dental veneers?
• How much do veneers cost?
• Pictures of Cosmetic Dentistry - Slideshow
• Dental Veneers Index

What Are the Advantages of Dental Veneers?

Veneers offer the following advantages:

• They provide a natural tooth appearance.
• Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
• The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
• Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape-veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more esthetic alternative to bonding.

What Are the Disadvantages of Dental Veneers?

The downside of dental veneers include these:

• The process is not reversible.
• Veneers are more costly than composite resin bonding.
• Veneers are usually not repairable should they chip or crack.
• Because enamel has been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.
• Veneers may not exactly match the color of your other teeth. Also, the veneer's color cannot be altered once in place. If you plan on whitening your teeth, you need to do so before getting veneers.
• Though not likely, veneers can dislodge and fall off. To minimize the chance of this occurring, do not bite your nails; chew on pencils, ice, or other hard objects; or otherwise put pressure on your teeth.
• Teeth with veneers can still experience decay, possibly necessitating full coverage of the tooth with a crown.
• Veneers are not a good choice for individuals with unhealthy teeth (for example, those with decay or active periodontal disease), weakened teeth (as a result of decay, fracture, large dental fillings) or by those who had an inadequate amount of existing enamel on the tooth surface.
• Individuals who clench and grind their teeth are poor candidates for porcelain veneers, as these activities can cause the veneers to crack or chip.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Teeth Whitening - Any process that will make teeth appear whiter.
• Dental Bonding - Procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light.

Read more Dental Veneers related articles »

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