2nd October 2023
Are veneers worth it?
As a popular cosmetic dentistry technique, veneers give teeth an aesthetic makeover by covering them like a shell. The porcelain or composite material can protect the tooth underneath and hide any imperfections that made your smile less confident.
If you are unhappy with how your smile looks because of a cosmetic issue with one or more of your teeth, you may have researched various ways to fix this. If you found yourself wondering, “are veneers worth it?” – you’re not alone.
As providers of high-quality veneers in Warrington, we’re well-placed to offer an answer at Dental Solutions. In fact, to help you make an informed decision, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about getting veneers below.
Do veneers look natural?
Most people’s first impression of veneers will be the super bright white and unnaturally even looking teeth of celebrities on TV and online, or low-quality dental tourism treatment on social media – creating a false perception that all dental veneers look fake.
After all, if veneers look too polished, smooth, and blemish-free, with a completely symmetrical shape and one flat colour, they aren’t going to look realistic.
That’s why it’s so important to go to a skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist who understands how to make veneers look like real teeth. To ensure the veneers blend in with the rest of your natural teeth and look just like them, dentists must consider their:
- Material – Porcelain veneers have a similar level of translucence and reflect light in the same way as natural enamel, which is why it is considered the best option.
- Shape – Natural-looking teeth have more rounded corners and thinner edges due to wear over time, which veneers should aim to replicate instead of being blocky.
- Thickness – If the shell is too thick, or the tooth underneath isn’t prepared enough, the veneer will stick out too much compared to other teeth and look obviously fake.
- Colour – Most people prefer a subtle shade of white rather than a blinding Hollywood smile, so veneers should be a natural shade that matches the rest of the teeth.
- Spacing – While veneers can be used to disguise large gaps between teeth, natural tooth spacing should have slight gaps, leaving enough space to floss between them.
You might be surprised by just how much realistic detail can go into crafting custom veneers in a dental lab, or how much training and skill goes into the ability to achieve authentic-looking veneers that don’t compromise the unique qualities of your smile.
Can veneers be whitened?
The short answer is no – you typically cannot whiten veneers once they’ve been placed. This is why most dentists will recommend that patients undergo professional teeth whitening before the procedure, so the veneers can be colour-matched to the whiter shade.
Veneers are made of non-porous material that’s stain-resistant and won’t discolour as easily as natural tooth enamel. However, maintaining their colour depends on how well you look after them, including regular brushing and avoiding pigmented food and drinks.
Even if you care for your veneers well, there are plenty of other factors that could make them appear less white and shiny over time. These include micro-scratches on the surface from wear and tear, receding gums, discolouration of the bonding material, or if the tooth underneath is heavily stained and this starts to show through.
If your veneers do become discoloured, you may be tempted to try home whitening treatments, such as tooth whitening strips, to restore their whiteness. The problem is that the bleaching agent won’t affect the non-porous inorganic material, while it will affect the surrounding natural teeth – giving you an even more unbalanced smile.
To avoid making things worse, you should contact your cosmetic dentist if you want to make your smile white and even again. They can recommend the right treatment to address the level of staining, whether that’s professional cleaning or replacement.
Can veneers get cavities?
Veneers themselves cannot develop cavities, because they are made from inorganic material that doesn’t decay like tooth enamel can. However, the natural tooth underneath a veneer can still develop cavities from tooth decay.
This is why it’s crucial to have veneers applied by a trusted and reputable cosmetic dentist, as poor application can leave gaps in the bonding or between the tooth and gum line where bacteria can gather, gradually eroding the enamel underneath.
Even with an airtight bond and an exact fit, a veneer only covers the front surface of the tooth, so the rest of it is not shielded against plaque build-up. That’s why it’s also essential to maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing every day.
If a cavity develops in the back of a tooth with a veneer and is left untreated, it could severely weaken the structure of the natural tooth, until it can no longer support the veneer attached to it. The original veneer would have to be removed to treat the decay, and a new veneer would have to be placed later, if viable.
You don’t want it to get to the point where the entire tooth has to be pulled out, so be sure to clean your teeth properly and attend regular check-ups with your dentist – and keep a look out for symptoms such as the veneer or tooth feeling loose, extreme sensitivity to heat, cold, or pressure, or sore and bleeding gums.
Can veneers be removed?
Porcelain veneers are considered permanent because they are securely bonded to your tooth for as long as they last, which can be up to a decade or more in some cases. If you choose to have a veneer placed on your natural tooth, it’s important to understand that the preparation for success is irreversible. This means that if your veneer fails or you want to replace it later on, you’ll need to consider other cosmetic dentistry options, such as crowns or bridges, for the rest of your life.
While this shouldn’t damage the tooth, the natural tooth surface cannot be left exposed if the veneer is removed. This is why porcelain veneers are a lifetime commitment to a better smile, because even if veneers are removed, they must be replaced with new ones as soon as possible to protect the prepared tooth underneath.
You cannot remove veneers by yourself, either – this must be done extremely carefully by a cosmetic dentist, with the specialist tools and training required to remove veneers without damaging teeth. They may use a high-speed diamond bur or a low-frequency laser to weaken the dental cement until the veneer is de-bonded from the tooth surface.
If you are no longer happy with your veneers, for whatever reason, the best thing to do is to go back to your cosmetic dentist for a new consultation. They can evaluate your teeth and veneers and advise you on alternative options to achieve the smile you want.
Can veneers fall off?
It’s extremely rare for veneers to just fall off. If this happens, it’s likely to be due to faulty application, e.g. using a low-quality bonding agent or an incorrect technique.
A good cosmetic dentist will ensure that veneers are properly fitted and bonded securely enough to resist the everyday pressures on your teeth without damage.
That said, veneers may be durable, but they aren’t indestructible. There are many reasons that veneers might become loose or come off completely, such as:
- Age – General wear and tear over time will gradually weaken the veneers, which are likely to need replacing every 10 to 15 years or so.
- Injury – An impact to the mouth, for example from a fall or while playing sports, can cause enough pressure to chip or break a veneer.
- Bruxism – Clenching or grinding teeth, which some people do unconsciously, can wear down veneers much faster than normal.
- Carelessness – Dentists will warn patients with veneers not to bite tough, sticky, or crunchy foods directly, nor to bite fingernails or other hard objects.
- Poor hygiene – Veneer patients will also be advised to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum disease and tooth decay around and under veneers.
Taking good care of all of your teeth, veneers included, should prevent veneers from coming off unexpectedly. Your dentist can monitor them when you attend routine check-ups, which should be at least once or twice a year.
If you find yourself in a situation where a veneer has broken or fallen off your tooth, do not try to fix it by yourself. Store the veneer safely in a clean and secure container and arrange an appointment with your cosmetic dentist as soon as possible.
Veneers in Warrington
Now you know more about the risks and rewards of veneers, you should hopefully have a better answer to the question of whether veneers are worth it for you or not.
When designed and applied by experts like the team at Dental Solutions, veneers are guaranteed to look great and last a long time. You won’t have to worry that your veneers will look unnatural or fall off when you choose us as your cosmetic dentist in Warrington.
Whether you have chipped, worn, crooked, misshapen, or discoloured teeth that are getting you down, we can turn things around with personalised dental veneers.
Read through some of our patient testimonials to see for yourself how our veneer procedures have given our previous patients the confidence and comfort to smile freely.
The fastest way to find out whether veneers are the right cosmetic solution for you is to have a consultation with one of our dentists. So, why not call us on 01925 756 565 or email us at [email protected] to book your appointment?
