Our teeth are supposed to last a lifetime but a variety of things can shorten their life-span. In some cases, teeth may still function well but their appearance may be less than attractive. Some dental issues are preventable while others are genetic. Take adequate care of your teeth to prevent destruction, decay and discoloration. Dentistry has advanced enough to provide a treatment option than can correct nearly any unfortunate change that takes place in our teeth. Veneers are an excellent way to make permanent corrections to your smile.
Significance
Once a tooth is chipped, stained or removed it is difficult to make a permanent correction that looks natural. Dental veneers make this possible. Applying a dental veneer to a tooth with minor to major disfigurement can make a near perfect correction in your smile. There are other options such as teeth bleaching and braces, but when these treatment options fail veneers can do the trick.
Making the Veneer
Dental veneers are thin tooth-colored material that is custom fitted to your current tooth. Like fillings, the veneers are often made of porcelain or ceramic. To prepare this veneer your dentist will take an impression of your teeth by taking a mold and letting it harden. This impression will be given to a dental technician that will create the veneers needed for your mouth. Once the veneers are sculpted, your dentist will apply them to your teeth. To apply the veneers your dentist will buff your enamel up with a sandpaper-like material. Then an adhesive will be applied and the veneer put in place.
When To Use Veneers
Dental veneers correct imperfections in teeth. They not only create a whiter smile they can also take care of unpleasant gaps between teeth. They can make small teeth larger. Veneers can also create a smoother looking tooth or a sharper one to match the rest of your teeth. Generally, a veneer can be used to give you the perfect smile you desire. Your dentist can discuss your situation and help you decide if veneers will fix the flaws you wish to correct.
The Cons of Using Veneers
Applying veneers is a mostly permanent procedure. Veneers can chip and crack but if you were to remove them, your teeth would appear worse than before. This is due to the amount of enamel that has to be roughed up in order for the veneer to adhere to your teeth. The adhesive bonds better to a rough surface instead of the smooth enamel your teeth are coated in. In the event that a veneer becomes damaged, a repair would need to take place. In some instances, the entire veneer is removed and replaced. This can be a more difficult process to perfect because the impressions of your damaged veneer will not give the technician the right mold to work with. This process may be more difficult but it is still possible to fix a damaged veneer. Veneers can also be expensive.
Cost
It is often a cosmetic dentist that applies veneers. Most insurances will not cover cosmetic procedures. This can make the cost of veneers even higher. Having many teeth done will also increase the cost. Porcelain veneers last longer and cost more than ceramic. As of 2009, the average cost for veneers varied between $700 and $2,000 per tooth, but this figure can change depending on location and dentist. In the event that veneers are needed due to an accident or defect, insurance may assist in some of the cost.
