In recent years, veneers have gained media popularity with many celebrities, including Millie Bobby Brown and Kim Kardashian, popularizing the procedure. However, social media has also spread misconceptions about the procedure, suggesting veneers require extensive tooth shaving (i.e., shark teeth) and causing intense pain, which has led to many people fearing the treatment as a whole. So, what exactly are veneers, and who should be getting them? Ultimately a cosmetic decision, veneers are a relatively simple and non-invasive procedure that can greatly enhance patient confidence.
- Debunking the Viral Procedure
Veneers are a thin porcelain coating placed on tooth surfaces to cover chips, discoloration, and other imperfections. As with any cosmetic procedure, patients should only consider veneers after addressing all other oral health concerns including cavities and gum disease with their dentist. For instance, orthodontic treatment may be recommended before getting veneers, as extensive misalignment of the teeth can not be addressed with veneers. Rather, veneers are meant to subtly adjust the shape and color of your smile.
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding veneers is permanent tooth damage. Chances are you’ve seen one of the many “shark-teeth” videos that portray teeth shaving as a normal or even necessary part of the veneer procedure. This is not, however, an accurate representation of professionally placed veneers. Most often, some enamel is removed from the patient’s natural teeth to create a rough surface for the veneer to attach to. This preparation requires only a minimal removal of natural tooth structure as long as the patient’s teeth are relatively well aligned.
When considering veneers, it is important to note that the procedure itself is expensive, with the cost of veneers ranging from $925 to $2,500 per tooth. Given the cosmetic nature of this procedure, insurance rarely covers any part of this cost. Depending on a patient’s aesthetic goals, in some cases, using more affordable materials can help reduce the cost of veneers. For patients with additional orthodontic concerns, an alternative procedure may prove to be a better option.
- Personalized Options
Once a dentist determines their patient is a good candidate for veneers, there are several options available to personalize their veneer experience:
- Composite veneers utilize a tooth colored resin which is applied directly to the surface of the patient’s teeth and then shaped by the dentist. These veneers require very little to no enamel removal and last for 3-5 years before replacement is needed. Composite veneers are a good fit for patients who have minor imperfections and desire a short-term, minimally invasive solution.
- Porcelain veneers can address a wider array of aesthetic concerns than composite veneers such as tooth gaps, severe discoloration, and misalignment. They are shaped to fit the patient’s natural teeth, and in most cases, require 0.5mm of enamel removal for the adhesion process. People with more significant cosmetic concerns should consider porcelain veneers for the most effective long-term solution.
- Removable veneers hide gaps, chips, and discoloration similarly to traditional veneers, however, they can be removed at any time. Similar to retainers, removable veneers securely snap onto a patient’s natural teeth and can be easily removed. However, because removable veneers are not attached to patients’ natural teeth, they may make regular speech and eating more challenging. Patients looking for a short-term cosmetic improvement without a permanent modification are generally a good fit for removable veneers.
- No-Prep veneers utilize a much thinner layer of porcelain and are the least invasive option. However, some enamel removal may still be necessary, and not all clients are a candidate for this option. Anyone with severe discoloration, larger teeth, or misaligned teeth should generally opt for traditional veneers.
- The Veneer Consultation Process
Dental veneers typically require two clinic visits. The initial consultation consists of an oral examination to determine a patient’s eligibility for the procedure. This may include general oral health tests and checking for sufficient tooth enamel, as well as looking for general tooth alignment and the absence of signs indicating teeth grinding. If the dentist determines that the patient meets all necessary criteria for the procedure, the patient will undergo enamel removal. Impressions of the patient’s teeth may also be taken if they opt for custom porcelain or removable veneers. This process requires making imprints of the patient’s teeth in a malleable yet structured putty. After a successful impression is made, the dentist sends it off to a laboratory responsible for constructing the patient’s custom veneers.
Although creating individualized sets of veneers can take several weeks, dentists often place a temporary set of veneers on patients’ teeth while they wait. Once their permanent set is completed, patients will return to the dentist to ensure their veneers are the right shape, color, and fit. Then, the dentist will permanently bond the veneers to patients’ teeth using dental cement and make any necessary modifications to preserve their natural bites. After leaving the clinic, patients can resume normal activity of the mouth, including regular eating and drinking.
Just like natural teeth, veneers can stain over time. Thus, it is crucial that patients with veneers maintain good oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing their teeth. Also, it is recommended that patients with veneers avoid all whitening products, as their abrasive nature can scratch and damage veneers. To ensure the utmost longevity of veneers, patients should also try to avoid directly biting into hard foods such as apples and carrots. With proper care and conscious choices, traditional veneers can last up to fifteen years.
- Alternative Procedures
Cosmetic dental procedures are not limited to veneers, and depending on your personal desires, alternative procedures may be a better option for enhancing your smile. For a reversible, minimally invasive, and cheaper alternative, dental bonding can be used to hide chips, gaps, and discoloration of the teeth. This procedure is best to address minor issues quickly, as it only requires one visit. However, dental bonding is not as durable as veneers, often requiring recurring touch-ups every three to ten years for routine upkeep.
If patient concerns extend beyond cosmetic reasonings, crowns are a restorative option for damaged and decaying teeth. Crown placement is a much more invasive procedure, requiring extensive, non-reversible filing of the tooth. After filing, a crown is permanently cemented over your natural tooth to restore its structure and strength, protecting it from decay. Similar to veneers, crowns can last up to fifteen years depending on the material of the crown. Unlike veneers, crowns are made of a wide array of materials including metal, ceramic, resin or porcelain, and a portion of the cost may be covered by insurance.
Additional cosmetic treatments may include orthodontic procedures such as invisalign or braces to improve tooth alignment, or whitening treatments to address tooth discoloration. Although these options may take more time to obtain the same results as veneers, they don’t require patients to make synthetic additions to their teeth, meaning that with consistent habits, patients can enhance their smiles without permanently altering their natural teeth.
- Conclusion
What exactly makes veneers such a popular cosmetic choice? For many people, celebrities included, this smile-makeover is an opportunity to build newfound confidence. From Miley Cyrus to Cristiano Ronaldo, many familiar faces flaunt a carefully curated smile. The constant presence of flawless teeth in the media has led to more and more people opting for veneers, as they are a quick and effective way to perfect one’s smile.
With so many celebrities normalizing the desire for a new, flashy smile, it is essential to step back and consider the cost of veneers as well as the diligent oral hygiene and consistent touch-ups they require post-placement. Even with a vast array of options, nearly all veneers are permanent and require the removal of at least some tooth enamel. Therefore, although veneers have quickly become a Hollywood staple, cost-effective and safe alternative procedures (i.e., tooth whitening, dental bonding, braces) can provide patients with similar results without having to sacrifice the health of their teeth or their wallet.
