Cosmetic dentistry has made many improvements over the past decade. At the same time, social media standards have raised everybody’s expectations, and now everyone wants a beautiful smile. Studies even support the benefit of an attractive smile, showing that people with great smiles have better job opportunities, better chances at a great marriage, and are overall happier in life. It’s no wonder so many people are seeking to make their teeth more attractive! That’s why, in this article, we’ll explore some of the pros and cons of dental veneers.
One of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures is dental veneers, and rightfully so! They can improve pretty much everything about the way your teeth look. However, everything has its merits and drawbacks, dental veneers included. So let’s dig in. But first, what are they?
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are shell-like structures made from porcelain. Their job is to cover the outer surface of the teeth and correct their shape, color, and arrangement. Think of dental veneers like artificial nails you place on your fingers, only these enhance your teeth.
Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers
Pros
- Dental veneers are much more conservative than dental crowns. Veneers only cover the outer surface of the teeth, while the crown encircles the entire tooth. This means that crowns need heavier preparation of the teeth, risking their damage.
- Veneers can take care of everything that you don’t like about your teeth’s appearance. Whether you suffer from yellowish teeth, unevenly spaced teeth, crowded teeth, or oddly shaped teeth, veneers may give you a movie-star smile.
- Veneers are very easily made and glued to the surface of the teeth. Once your dentist takes the molds and the lab creates your veneers, gluing them is very simple.
Cons
- While veneers are more conservative than crowns, they still require some preparation of the teeth. While the risk of damage is minimal, it is still present.
- Since they are small and only cover the outer surface, they can dislodge from their position. However, putting them back on is relatively easy.
- They are very thin, shell-like structures, which means they can be a bit weak. For that reason, if you have veneers, you should avoid biting on hard foods such as apples, candy, and nuts.
Generally speaking, veneers are a marvel when it comes to their cosmetic effect. They can literally transform your smile into that of a movie star. For that reason, some people even refer to them as “Hollywood smiles.” Because they’re optional and mostly benefit your self-esteem, when comparing the pros and cons of dental veneers, we should consider their cosmetic value first and foremost.
Ready to explore dental veneers for yourself? Click here to make your appointment with one of our experienced local dentists!