Porcelain Dental Veneers: Advantages and Disadvantages

by | Jul 2, 2014

Unfortunately, not all Hendricks County residents are blessed with a perfect, dazzling smile. If you have discolored, chipped, broken, worn-down or misaligned teeth, porcelain dental veneers may be the solution for you. These veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells made from porcelain that cover the front surface of your teeth to restore your beautiful smile.
To determine if porcelain dental veneers are an option for you, you should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages first.
 

Advantages of Porcelain Dental Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers offer many advantages for Hendricks County residents. They:

  • Look like real, natural teeth.
  • Don’t require extensive shaping before application, compared to crowns.
  • Can make your teeth appear whiter, especially if you have dark or stained teeth.
  • Can actually strengthen your teeth.
  • Resist permanent stains like those from coffee, wine or cigarettes.
  • Are durable – lasting 10-15 years.
  • Can improve your self-confidence.
  • Don’t require additional maintenance – just daily brushing and flossing.

Disadvantages of Porcelain Dental Veneers

As with any dental procedure, there are some disadvantages to consider as well.

  • Porcelain dental veneers are artificial teeth, even though they look realistic.
  • The procedure is permanent. You can’t change your mind later.
  • They can be expensive. Each veneer can cost $500 to $1,500. If you need multiple veneers done, it can be quite costly. This cost may not be covered by your dental insurance, so you should check before you have the procedure done.
  • The color of your veneers cannot be changed once they’re in place. If you want your other teeth to match your veneers, you should have teeth whitened first.
  • You may experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages since some of the tooth’s enamel must be removed before application.
  • While porcelain dental veneers are durable, they can chip, break, dislodge or fall off if you excessively grind your teeth, chew on hard foods (like ice or hard candies) or accidentally hit your tooth. If this occurs, you will likely need to have the affected veneer replaced.
  • Your tooth can still decay – even if you have a porcelain dental veneer on it – necessitating further dental work like a crown.
  • Your veneers must be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
  • You may not be a good candidate for porcelain dental veneers, especially if you have weakened teeth due to decay, fracture or large dental fillings, teeth without enough enamel on the surface, periodontal disease or suffer from bruxism (clenching or grinding of your teeth).

If you want a smile makeover, schedule a consultation with Danville Family Dentistry, serving Hendricks County, Indiana. Dr. Jon Erickson can analyze your teeth and determine if porcelain dental veneers are a perfect solution for your cosmetic dentistry needs.