Veneers are categorized as a form of restorative dentistry. This branch of dentistry involves the restoration of smiles to their original state. Our teeth are susceptible to damage when we do not adequately care for them. Therefore, dental hygiene is an integral part of life that we should strictly adhere to. Failing to brush our teeth after every meal or at least twice a day increases the risk of teeth damage. This is because residues of food are left behind on the teeth after every meal, which contributes to plaque formation, dental cavities, and eventually, tooth decay. One way dentists fix our smiles after teeth damage is by the use of veneers.
What are veneers?
Veneers in Midland, TX are restorative dentistry in which a porcelain wafer is bonded to the entire front surface of the tooth. The veneer can also be made of a resin-composite wafer. Veneers are used to restore smiles on cracked, chipped, decayed, or stained teeth. Veneers are only used for teeth whitening when other whitening methods or procedures fail to work. They can also be used to increase the size of teeth for teeth smaller-than-average. Furthermore, veneers can be used to fill in spaces between teeth.
Veneers can be bonded on just one tooth or several teeth depending on the extent of teeth damage in the patient. The procedure of bonding veneers to the teeth usually requires a local anesthetic. Whether a patient is placing one veneer or multiple veneers, a local anesthetic is necessary. Also, the procedure is short. The length will depend on how many veneers the patient is getting.
Veneers have some important benefits. They include:
- They increase the size of teeth smaller-than-average.
- They are good for teeth whitening.
- They repair cracked or chipped teeth.
Unlike other forms of restorative dentistry like braces or invisalign, are relatively expensive, especially for multiple teeth. When used for a single tooth, the cost of a veneer ranges from $950 to $2,500 depending on many factors. Therefore, the cost for veneers for ten teeth will be $17,250 on average. On the other hand, the cost of braces ranges from $4,000 to $10000 depending on the type. Metallic braces are generally more affordable than lingual or ceramic braces.
Are veneers permanent?
Yes, the bonding of veneers to teeth is permanent. However, veneers need to be replaced after about 10 to 20 years. Dentists consider veneers to be permanent because they are cemented to the teeth to become one. After roughly 15 years, the dentist will remove the old veneers by drilling it off and repeat the procedure to place the new one.
Although veneers are permanent, they are susceptible to damage if we do not take care of them properly. Therefore, they may have a lifespan shorter than ten years. This is because they can undergo cracking or chipping like natural teeth. When we bite on hard foods or objects with our veneers, they can chip. However, it is rare for a veneer to undergo damage, unless it is incorrectly placed.
To avoid damage to the veneers, patients are usually advised to take proper care of the veneer by brushing at least twice daily and avoid biting hard objects or foods. Patients should also avoid the habit of grinding their teeth once the procedure is complete. Patients that seek veneers for teeth whitening are warned that veneers are also capable of staining. Therefore, patients should avoid tea or wine that can stain the veneers.
