The downside to dental veneers include:
- They're not reversible.
- Veneers are not a good choice if you have gum disease, weak teeth, or other issues.
- Veneers cost more than composite resin bonding.
- Veneers usually can't be fixed if they chip or crack.
- Your natural teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
With traditional veneers, your dentist will remove a very small amount of enamel from the tooth or teeth that will be receiving the veneer. With no-preparation veneers, there is no removal or shaving your natural teeth required, and the veneers are fitted directly over your existing natural teeth.
If porcelain veneers aren't fitted properly, they can create small ledges around the veneer that allow for the accumulation of food particles and oral bacteria. This makes reservoir of oral bacteria that can then contribute to decay, gum disease, and, of course, foul smells.
Some of the top Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Ben Affleck, and Catherine Zeta Jones are proof that celebrities have veneers - no matter how picture-perfect their smile might look now. In fact, you might not even know that some of the actors with veneers had anything done to their teeth!
For example, if you are wearing temporary veneers, we recommend avoiding:
- Hard foods, such as candy, raw fruits and vegetables, popcorn, ice, and similar items.
- Tough meat.
- Sticky foods such as taffy and caramels.
- Toasted or crusty bread.
- Staining agents, such as ketchup, berries, tomatoes, colas, tea, coffee, and red wine.
Because porcelain is so delicate, veneers are also more prone to chipping and cracking than crowns or fillings. They are not recommended for people with habits like biting their nails, grinding their teeth, or chewing on ice. But, those habits are correctable and having a nicer smile may be worth it in the long run.
Teeth don't stay white forever. But guess what? Porcelain veneers do — or just about, anyway. Dental porcelain is highly stain-resistant, meaning that your veneers will maintain the same beautiful, bright white shade for years after their application.
Veneers can be removed and leave the tooth somewhat intact depending on the skill of the dentist, but there should not be any reason to do this. If the consultation with your dentist was comprehensive and your veneers were high quality and properly fitted to begin with, they shouldn't need to be removed anytime soon.
Why does the dentist have to shave off enamel for veneers? Veneers act as a porcelain “veneer” over your teeth. While today veneers are exceedingly thin, they still need a little bit of space in order to fit over your natural smile. This is why we have to shave off a tiny bit of the enamel.
Veneers
| PROS | CONS |
|---|
| longer lasting | permanent (but you'll need to replace them if they crack or become damaged) |
| more opaque | more expensive |
| better at hiding tooth decay and discoloration | |
With that said, if you recently received veneers and are unhappy with them follow up with your treating cosmetic dentist. Often the veneers can be recontoured to shorten the length, level them, adjust the bite, change the contours, or make them look more bold or soft.
In general, you can eat any food you like with veneers, but it is important to go easy on them.
One of the most popular choices to achieve this is veneers. Designed to fit perfectly over the front surface of your teeth, veneers can instantly change the quality of your smile and your bite, so they're often the solution of choice for a multitude of different situations.
Veneers can be applied to teeth that are crooked, or teeth that are otherwise uneven or differently shaped to each other. Overbites and underbites are no problem either: veneers can still be applied. In sum, you do not need a perfectly straight and even bite before veneers are applied.
The teeth under your veneers can still accumulate plaque and tartar, which means they may eventually develop tiny holes in them. If cavities develop on these teeth, they might not be able to support your veneers after your dentist treats the decay.
Good quality veneers have the potential to last a very long time. Following good wear and care, it is likely that you will eventually have them replaced later in life. It will simply be a matter of removing the original porcelain which can be done without substantial additional tooth reduction.
Many dentists offer some type of numbing for the first part of the veneer process. Once you are numb, you shouldn't feel any pain. Most patients who have two to four veneers experience little to no pain after the procedure. Patients who have eight or more veneers may feel some soreness in the gums and maybe the jaw.
They Won't Look Good for LongPorcelain veneers are actually very stain resistant. They have a glossy coat on them that prevents staining molecules from penetrating the veneer, unlike your teeth, which have pores that allow stains inside. Veneers today can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years.
One word: veneers. Cosmetic dentistry (veneers and no-prep veneers in particular) is the only sure-fire way to get a Hollywood-level smile. In the 80s and 90s, veneers were incredibly popular because they could give most anyone a perfect smile in only a few dental appointments.
Porcelain veneers are durable dental restorations designed to withstand normal biting and chewing. If you have veneers, you should be able to chew gum without a problem. Gum isn't sticky enough to threaten the integrity of your veneers.
Some of the signs you are a good candidate for veneers are listed here.
- Your Teeth are Severely Stained.
- You Have Minor Cosmetic Issues.
- Several Cosmetic Issues.
- You Have Good Overall Oral Health.
- Plenty of Tooth Enamel.
