WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DENTAL VENEERS

Some people are confused as to why all of a sudden, most people are with braces or are getting their teeth whitened. From enamel bonding to lingual braces, we’ve come a long way in the world of cosmetic dentistry. Perhaps one of the most popular—and life-changing—treatments you can ask for at the dentist today is veneers, a valuable but pricey service that can give you a dream smile without having to undergo years of metal in your mouth. 

Not only can veneers fix asymmetrical sizes and spaces between teeth, they can also white a smile by covering discoloration. However, as with any permanent cosmetic treatment, veneers are a big commitment, so it’s important that you know what you’re getting into and which veneer type you want. We tapped multiple dental experts to help you navigate your veneer decision.

What Are Veneers?

Simply put, veneering is the process of placing a thin shell of material over a tooth to change its color, size, shape, or texture. “A well-designed set of veneers will improve a smile and provide major lip support. I often call it the ultimate face lift—people are surprised at how much younger it makes them look,” says Sharon Huang, DDS, cosmetic dentist and founder of Les Belles NYC.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

Veneers are an investment—they can cost anywhere from a few hundred (for composite) to a few thousand dollars (for porcelain) per tooth. They also may need to be replaced over time—although good ones can last decades—and can chip if not properly cared for. That’s why a consultation with a cosmetic dentist is crucial before jumping into any decision—depending on your needs, it may turn out that orthodontic treatment (i.e., braces) or teeth-whitening is a better service for you.

If your dentist decides that veneers are the best option, there are a couple different types to choose from.

Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are direct restorations that are done with bonding the composite on the teeth. These are sculpted chair-side by your dentist using resin-based composite materials, which is the same material dentists use for ‘tooth-coloured fillings,'” says Angelique Freking, DDS, director of dentistry at Park Slope Dental. “Composite veneers are done at the dental office usually in one visit, versus porcelain veneers which are typically done in two,” adds Wesam Shafee, DMD, cosmetic dentist and founder of Smile Care Dental Group.

Although composite veneers are the most affordable, keep in mind that they don’t last long—and will probably need to be replaced eventually. “Composites are most prone to chipping and can change color throughout the years, so they only last about four to five years,” says Dr Shafee. Dr Freking adds that due to the material, they may not be as ideal in shape and translucency as porcelain.

Porcelain Veneers

As the name implies, porcelain veneers are made out of porcelain and remain the clear winner in the durability department, generally lasting for 15+ years with the proper care. “Once the porcelain veneers are bonded with your teeth, they should not be more chip-prone than your natural teeth,” says Dr Shafee. However, if your porcelain veneers become chipped or damaged, they will need to be replaced entirely since they can’t be repaired like composite veneers.

According to Dr Freking, porcelain veneers are typically considered the most lifelike, natural looking material to use for veneers, so they’re ideal for someone who wants to make big changes to their entire smile. However, they are also the most expensive and can due to the material and the fact that they have to be manufactured by a technician in a dental laboratory. “Your dentist will prepare your teeth for veneers, collect an impression or scan, and have you leave with ‘temporary’ veneers,” says Dr Freking. After that, you will return in a few weeks for delivery of your final porcelain veneers.”

Teeth-Whitening vs. Veneers

If your teeth are aligned properly (i.e., not cracked or fractured) and the only thing you want to improve is the colour, teeth-whitening should be the first alternative to explore. As opposed to veneers, which cover the surface of your natural teeth, teeth-whitening lifts the stains by bleaching the pigments from the “pores” of your teeth. “The entire process is non-invasive and does not require anesthesia—and usually involves a layer of gel placed on top of teeth to remove stains accumulated on teeth over time,” says Dr Huang.

So, when should you turn to veneers for teeth-whitening? Because teeth-whitening results only last about a year, veneers are better if you’re trying to save multiple visits to the dentist. Veneers are also a good option if you experience sensitivity from the chemicals in teeth-whitening since it doesn’t involve any exposure to bleaching agents.

Another thing to keep in mind: “Teeth-whitening can only help with discoloration from food and drinks, otherwise known as extrinsic staining,” says Dr Huang “That means teeth-whitening will bring a tooth back to its natural color, not change the actual color of teeth.” In other words, if your natural tooth color is off-white, the result of teeth-whitening will be off-white. If you’re wanting a brighter color, veneers are the only other option.

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