Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option among both the general population and celebrities. If you’re thinking about getting veneers, it matters to conduct further research on them and look at all your options before making an appointment with a cosmetic dentist, especially since they’re considered permanent.
What Are Dental Veneers Used For?
Dental veneers are commonly used to correct minor cosmetic issues like tooth discoloration, small cracks or chips in the teeth, a gap between the teeth, or slightly crooked teeth. They can also be installed to give the teeth a different length, width, or shape.
Types of Dental Veneers
There are different types of veneers to consider depending on your budget, cosmetic desires, and how committed you are to this cosmetic option. Composite, ceramic, and porcelain are some of the most common options.
- Composite Veneers: A cost-effective veneer option that doesn’t require as much enamel to be removed for installation. Made from composite resin applied and molded directly onto the teeth
- Ceramic Veneers: Offer improved durability, aesthetics, and lifespan than composite veneers, though with a higher cost and the need to remove more enamel. More resistant to chipping and cracking and appear more natural
- Porcelain Veneers: Created with a high-quality porcelain material that’s resistant to stains, is highly durable, and presents a natural appearance. However, they come at a higher cost, require more lab work to create, and are considered irreversible as they require significant enamel removal.
Whether you pick composite vs ceramic vs porcelain veneers, there are some requirements you must meet before the installation can take place, as we’ll discuss in the next section.
Who Are Dental Veneers Suitable For?
The ideal candidate for dental veneers is someone with generally good oral health. They should have healthy gums and teeth, enough dental enamel available, and should have their full set of adult teeth as they can’t be applied to baby teeth. Those who grind their teeth, have missing teeth, or have severely misaligned teeth may not be suitable for veneers.
If you don’t meet the latter criteria or aren’t sure if veneers are the right option for you, there are several cosmetic dentistry options to consider to achieve the smile of your dreams.
4 Alternative Options to Dental Veneers
- Dental Bonding
If you’re wanting veneers to cover up gapped, stained, chipped, or cracked teeth, dental bonding is another cosmetic dentistry service worth looking into. This procedure uses a tooth-colored resin to fill in minor cosmetic issues. The resin hardens and looks, feels, and functions similarly to a regular tooth.
Dental bonding is an excellent option for those who are happy with their teeth as a whole but just want a small change. It’s also more affordable than veneers, especially if you only need one or two teeth bonded. Additionally, dental bonding, while long-lasting, isn’t permanent and can always be removed if you change your mind. Meanwhile, veneers are more permanent.
- Teeth Whitening
While veneers can give the appearance of whiter teeth, there are other ways to get brighter pearly whites. Teeth whitening is a popular option for those wanting to fade tooth stains or make the appearance of their entire set of teeth look cleaner and whiter.
There are different types and levels of teeth whitening to consider. There are several affordable, at-home treatments if you’re wanting something subtle, ranging from teeth-whitening strips to pens. For stronger, more long-term results, teeth whitening in a dental office is your best bet. They can help you quickly achieve the exact shade you’re wanting.
When should you choose teeth whitening over dental veneers? When you like everything about your teeth but their color and don’t want to completely commit to veneers, teeth whitening is suitable. It’s also suitable for those who aren’t good candidates for veneers due to the alignment of their teeth. To top it off, teeth whitening is often more affordable than getting veneers.
- Invisible Braces
Invisible braces like Invisalign are great for those wanting to correct slightly crooked teeth. They come in the form of clear, custom-fit trays that go over the teeth and slowly shift them into the correct alignment. Trays get swapped out every week or few. The entire course of treatment can take anywhere from several months to a few years.
Those with more complicated orthodontic needs might not be approved for invisible aligners. For those with more severe misalignment, lingual braces, which are installed on the back of the teeth, may be an available option. When that option isn’t available, standard braces with a clear appearance can also be a visually subtle option for those not wanting a metal look.
All in all, invisible, lingual, or standard braces can be a great alternative cosmetic solution for those solely wanting realignment done to their teeth. They’re also a plan B option for those whose misalignment may not allow for the installation of veneers.
- Dental Crowns
Think of a dental crown like a little hat for a tooth. This is a tooth-colored cap that’s placed on top of a tooth in need of cosmetic and/or restorative assistance. They may be applied to a discolored tooth, a tooth with a small crack or chip, or a damaged tooth after a case of tooth decay.
Dental crowns are long-lasting just like their veneer counterparts. They also come in multiple forms depending on your budget and needs: porcelain, metal alloys, or a blend of both.
A crown will be a more suitable and affordable option for someone than getting veneers when they only have one or a few teeth in need of a cosmetic change. While you must have healthy teeth for veneers, dental crowns are even applicable for those with problematic teeth. What’s more, dental crowns can later be removed by a dentist when no longer needed or wanted.
Conclusion
Veneers can be an excellent dentistry option for those who desire a minor yet transformative touch to their smile. While only certain candidates are suitable for dental veneers, there are other great cosmetic dentistry options to correct one’s smile. These include dental bonding, teeth whitening, invisible braces, and dental crowns. Your dream teeth await!
