Advantages and Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers, thin pieces of ceramic bonded to the front of your teeth, are commonly used to hide discoloration, brighten teeth, and generally improve your smile. Veneers are a wonderful smile-makeover option providing dramatic and long-lasting results. As with any medical procedure however, there are advantages and disadvantages to porcelain veneer bonding.
Dr. Sands, a well-known Hollywood cosmetic dentist, helps distinguish the pros and cons of this procedure:
“Porcelain veneers are such a great option for anyone who wants to better their smile. The best feature of porcelain veneers is that your smile looks natural with them in place. I have performed veneer adhesions for countless celebrities, and even when you look close at those folks, you can’t tell they have undergone any cosmetic dentistry procedures. Porcelain veneers are also very hard to stain, so no one has to give up their favorite wine or cigarette”
“Veneers are a little more expensive than other types of procedures that give similar results, but the quality you get is unmatched and well worth the cost.”
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers have two main advantages over other dental-bonding procedures:
§ Extremely natural looking
Porcelain and tooth enamel are both white and translucent. So they react to light in similar ways. Light enters them both and is reflected back off the layer beneath them. In the case of porcelain, that’s the dental cement that attaches them. In the case of tooth enamel, it’s the yellowish dentin layer below the enamel. The result is a completely natural looking smile.
§ Exceptionally stain-resistant
Since porcelain is a ceramic, stain-producing products roll right off the surface, just like glass. Veneers made of porcelain are naturally stain resistant, even for those who can’t give up their daily trip to Starbucks or their daily glass of red wine with dinner.
Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers
While porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for most people, there are some disadvantages that should be considered:
§ Porcelain veneers have a potential to break or come off
While porcelain veneers are extremely strong and generally last for years, they can break or come off. If a veneer comes off, your cosmetic dentist will probably just reattach it. But if the veneer breaks, it cannot be repaired and you will have to undergo the time and expense of having a new veneer made. However, you can guard against them either breaking or coming off by taking good care of them and not using them as bottle openers.
§ Porcelain veneer application is not a reversible process
Before porcelain veneers can be placed, a small amount of enamel must be removed from the front of your teeth. This changes the look of your natural teeth. So once you have undergone the process, your teeth without the veneers will not look aesthetically pleasing.
§ The porcelain veneer procedure is more expensive than composite dental veneers
While the exact price will vary depending on your unique needs, porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite dental veneers.
§ Increased tooth-sensitivity
Because a small amount of enamel has is removed from your natural tooth before placing the veneer, you may find you are more sensitive to hot and cold beverages and foods. This varies from person to person and may be temporary.
For most people, the benefits of porcelain veneer dental bonding far outweigh any negative aspects of the procedure. Porcelain veneers can drastically change the way you look, and most likely will change the way you feel about yourself. They offer a long-lasting, natural finish to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile for years.