Embarrassed to smile? Have you ever had to hide your mouth because your teeth were crooked, discolored, or chipped? Enter, Veneers! Veneers can mask a variety of dental flaws and may give you the confidence boost you need to show off your smile. However, porcelain or composite veneers are a suitable fit for you. Though your dentist can advise you on the best cosmetic procedure for your needs, do some research on veneers before scheduling an appointment.

What exactly are veneers? Veneers are thin, custom-fit shells that your dentist attaches to the fronts of your teeth permanently to improve the appearance of your smile. Veneers can cover teeth that are misaligned, damaged, discolored, or have large gaps. A veneer requires more natural tooth preservation than a dental crown, which is typically used to strengthen seriously decaying or broken-down teeth. Veneers, on the other hand, are usually not covered by dental insurance because they are considered a cosmetic procedure. There are two types of commonly used veneers. Namely, porcelain and composite.

Porcelain Veneers: What Are They? Porcelain Veneers are tough to tell apart from your other teeth because the material mimics the form and color of your permanent teeth. Choosing porcelain veneers has a number of benefits, such as their appearance. Porcelain most closely resembles the appearance of actual teeth due to its translucent quality. It’s stain and chip-resistant, as well. Their versatility. Porcelain veneers are a feasible treatment option for almost all cosmetic difficulties, including the most severe discoloration and spacing issues that composite resin might not be able to address. Their strength. If you want your veneers to endure a long time, porcelain is the way to go. These veneers can last 10-20 years if properly cared for. If you’re thinking of getting porcelain veneers, consider the following points: Because the operation necessitates the removal of some of your tooth’s enamel, it is irreversible – so make sure that this is what you really want. Porcelain veneers are often made by an outside facility, requiring many appointments and lengthier treatment duration. Porcelain veneer repairs are more difficult, time-consuming, and costly. Cost estimates for porcelain veneers range from around $925 to $2,500 per tooth, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry.

If you choose porcelain veneers, the treatment could take up to two or three visits to your dentist to finish. Initially, you would need to meet with your cosmetic dentist for an initial consultation to discuss your desired changes. The dentist may build a cosmetic imaging mock-up so you can see how your smile will look after treatment. After you and your dentist have agreed on a treatment plan, your dentist will remove a little bit of enamel from the front and sides of the teeth that will be veneered. Following this, your teeth will be taken impressions and the correct shade decided. Lastly, y our teeth impressions and shade color are sent to a lab, where your veneers will be made in one to two weeks. Temporary veneers may be applied to your teeth whilst you are waiting for the customized ones to arrive.

What Are Composite Veneers and How Do They Work? Composite veneers comprise a tooth-colored resin in order to improve the appearance of your teeth. Unlike porcelain veneers, the resin is applied directly to the tooth by the dentist, who then sculpts and molds it to the desired look. Composite veneers may be chosen for a variety of reasons, including the price –

These veneers are budget-friendly since composite resin is a less expensive substance. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, the cost per tooth ranges between $250 and $1,500. In this case, the treatment is provided on the same day. Composite veneers don’t need to be sent to an outside lab, so you may generally get a new smile in only one visit. Also, composite veneers require minimum tooth preparation so that the composite material can be removed, replaced, and mended more readily. You should, nonetheless, be aware of the drawbacks of composite veneers. Composite resin veneers break down faster than porcelain veneers, with a lifespan of around five to seven years. The composite has a higher porosity and is more prone to stains. It also has to be polished to match your natural teeth. Composite veneers may not be a realistic option if you have severe concerns, such as substantial gaps or excessive discoloration.

A single-visit composite veneer application procedure goes like so: your dentist will choose a shade based on your consultation and then shape the material directly on your teeth to create a veneer that fits your smile. The composite is then hardened with a high-intensity light. The composite resin is then smoothed and polished by the dentist until it has a natural appearance.