Various treatments are available to patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth. If your teeth are discolored or damaged, speak with a cosmetic dentist about your options.
They may recommend dental veneers. The following basic overview will help you better understand whether this treatment is worth proceeding with.
What Are Dental Veneers?
A dental veneer is typically a small porcelain shell that resembles the front of a healthy tooth. A cosmetic dentist may bond a veneer to the front of a patient’s tooth to address such issues as:
- Significant discoloration that teeth whitening may not be sufficient to correct
- Cracks
- Misshapen teeth
- Minor dental misalignments that don’t require orthodontic treatment
Other Types of Dental Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers are the most common. However, other options are available. They include:
- Composite veneers, which are more affordable than porcelain veneers, but also less durable and more likely to stain
- Instant veneers, which dentists typically don’t recommend, as they aren’t customized to match the shape, color, and general appearance of a patient’s other teeth
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers offer a range of benefits to patients, including:
- Restoring a smile relatively easily
- Longevity, as a porcelain dental veneer could stay in good condition for a decade or longer with proper care
- Fairly simple maintenance needs
Are Dental Veneers Worth Your Time and Money?
The cost of dental veneers can vary from one patient to another. Factors that can influence how much a patient might spend on dental veneers include:
- The type of veneers they receive
- How many teeth require veneers
- Whether a patient’s insurance covers veneers
That said, when compared to other common cosmetic dentistry and smile restoration treatments, the cost of veneers is in the mid-range. More complex treatment options such as dental implants cost more than veneers. However, a simpler treatment, such as teeth whitening, may cost less.
Just remember that the more affordable treatment option isn’t always the better one. Sometimes, teeth whitening treatment can’t yield the same results that veneers can deliver. Additionally, if your teeth are cracked or misshapen, correcting them with a veneer may be the most cost-effective option.
The other option may involve extracting the affected teeth and replacing them with dental implants. Doing so is costlier than concealing damaged or misshapen teeth with a veneer.
The process of receiving veneers also isn’t very time-consuming. Usually, it involves the following steps:
- Initial consultation and evaluation to determine if a patient is a good candidate for veneers
- If necessary, completing any dental work that must be performed before a patient can receive veneers, such as filling in cavities
- Removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of the tooth receiving the veneer
- Bonding the veneer with the tooth
The exact length of treatment may vary somewhat from one patient to another. Often, though, patients can complete treatment in as few as two or three appointments.
Speak With a Cosmetic Dentist About Dental Veneers
The best way to learn whether dental veneers are right for you (and whether they’re worth investing in) is to discuss the topic in greater detail with a professional. A dentist can evaluate your teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment option. If they do recommend veneers, the dentist can also answer your questions, explaining why the benefits of this treatment are worth the cost.
Learn More About Dental Veneers in Dunedin, FL
At Dunedin Dental Associates, our team is on hand to discuss dental veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatment options with you. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at 727-734-3321 to request an appointment.
