Guide to Veneers, how much they cost, and different types of veneers

If you are wondering what veneers are and what they do, they can help fix several teeth problems. Veneers before and after images usually show a positive difference. The reasons to get veneers include:

• discolored teeth due to any reason (especially tetracycline)
• root canal
• large resin filling
• large amounts of fluoride
• worn down teeth
• uneven, disproportionate, irregular teeth
• tooth gaps

Conventional veneers take excessive prep work to attach, unlike ‘no-prep veneers’, that are relatively hassle-free substitutes and don’t require intensive preparation beforehand.

Included in these no-prep veneers are Lumineers and Vivaneers, both of which are less time-consuming and intrusive in their application.

Traditional veneer teeth require shaving down the structure of the tooth. This is sometimes done even beyond the enamel to enable appropriate attachment. This process can therefore cause much discomfort, and anesthesia may also be essential.

In contrast, no-prep veneers ask for little advanced preparation and alteration. They only affect the enamel of a tooth, and teeth are not restructured beyond it. This is why anesthesia is also often not needed.

The two major types of veneers are:

Composite Resin

Composite veneers can be attached to teeth over the course of just one appointment. Upon the reshaping of the tooth, the dentist molds the material to suit your requirements and teeth. Then, a specific light helps fortify the veneer’s surface, along with smoothing it to imitate a natural tooth.

These types of veneer teeth are generally cheaper than the other type, but in turn, they last for a shorter amount of time, usually 4-8 years. Composite veneers also need frequent maintenance and are more likely to chip.

Porcelain

A tougher alternative to composite resin veneers is porcelain veneers. These are more durable and can last up to 25 years, with infrequent maintenance. An impression of teeth will be created and then sent to a laboratory by the dentist, where it is copied onto the veneers.

Upon completion, the porcelain veneers are checked against the client's teeth to ensure apt size, color, and shape. The veneers are finally applied to teeth using dental cement.

Veneers can be received through a convenient procedure that only takes a small number of visits to the dentist. The following steps are typically a part of the veneers procedure:

1. Diagnosis: A preliminary consultation is required before the application of veneers can commence. This first visit may comprise x-rays and impressions of your teeth being taken.
2. Preparation: during the next visit, your dentist will shave roughly ½ millimeter of enamel from your tooth before an impression can be made.
3. Creation of the veneer: the designed impressions are sent to a laboratory to be replicated for veneers. These veneers then arrive after about 4 weeks.
4. Bonding placement: before the readied veneers can be placed, you can expect your doctor to wipe, polish, and etch your tooth. A rough tooth surface can help strengthen the bond between your tooth and the veneer.
5. Placement of the Veneer: afterward, the dentist will layer the veneer with dental cement and then lay it over the tooth. Once it has adequately settled onto the tooth, the dentist will photopolymerize the veneer teeth i.e., the usage of a specific light beam, which activates the chemicals within the cement, leading to its hardening.

People who receive veneers don't really experience downtime for recovery. In fact, once the veneers have been attached, eating and drinking can take place as any other day. However, it would be best if you were careful not to bite your cheeks or tongue before the anesthesia becomes void. Precautionary measures can undoubtedly extend the life of veneers. Here are some precautions:

• Avoid chewing on sturdy objects such as ice, nutshells, pens, or fingernails.
• Try not to open the packaging of items using your teeth. This can include processed food packaging or caps of pens etc.
• Avoid biting into things with front teeth. This can be done by eating pre-cut foods that can be chewed on using the back teeth.
• Don't clench or grind your teeth. In case you are in the habit of grinding or clenching teeth, purchase retainers or a splint to help with.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports

Veneers' cost can vary depending on the area you receive them, to the number of veneers you need, and how extensive your procedure would be.

Moreover, if you are looking for how much veneers are priced at, it also relies upon the type of veneer you get, whether resin or porcelain veneers. Lastly, the brand of veneers also affects the pricing range that you will hear from the dentist.

According to the national dental fee survey for 2017, one porcelain veneer cost can cost about $1983, whereas one resin veneer can cost up to $860.

The benefits of dental veneers include fixing of several cosmetic problems, some of which include:

• Chipped or broken tooth
• Discoloration of teeth i.e. if they are pale and lifeless.
• Teeth gaps
• Small teeth
• Pointy teeth
• Irregularly shaped teeth

Some of the drawbacks of veneers are as follows:

• they are irreversible
• in some casese they can be expensive and cost more
• they may somewhat increase your teeth's sensitivity to hot and cold foods because of impacted enamel.
• they may not align in terms of color and shape with your other teeth, and therefore give you a bit of an odd look.
• though rarely, veneers can become displaced, or worse, even fall off in some cases. To prevent this, chewing on hard objects should be minimised.
• they may not be suitable for people who have unnourished teeth, for instance, those suffering from gum disease, decaying teeth, or those whose teeth do not have adequate enamel on the surface of their teeth.
• they may be inappropriate for those who repeatedly grind or clench their teeth, and veneers are susceptible to chipping or cracking.