Would you be surprised to learn that sources estimate that over 600,000 U.S. Americans get dental veneers each year? The tooth-colored shells are a popular way to cover aesthetic imperfections in your smile, like chips, cracks, stubborn stains, and mild misalignments.
Being fitted with these restorations can enhance your appearance and boost your self-esteem, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best solution to meet everyone’s unique needs. Continue reading to learn about 3 facts you should know about veneers to help decide if they’re right for you!
Fact #1: They’re Incredibly Versatile
This cosmetic service continues to gain popularity as an effective way to boost your confidence, partly because it can address one or more concerns simultaneously. Whether you’re frustrated by dental discoloration that you just can’t seem to brush away, or are feeling self-conscious about the slight gaps in your grin, these shells can be arranged to give the appearance of a beautifully flawless smile.
That makes this treatment ideal for patients wanting to address multiple issues at once. For example, if you have chipped teeth that are also more yellow or brown than pearly white, your dentist can improve your grin with a single service rather than multiple procedures, such as teeth whitening and dental crowns.
Fact #2: They Are Not Completely Invincible
Veneers are usually made from resilient, tooth-colored ceramic that can be made to resemble your natural enamel. However, it’s less porous than the protective outer layer of your teeth and is coated with a durable glaze so it can better resist chips, cracks, and stains.
But that doesn’t mean that these covers are impervious to harm, and you must care for them properly to avoid hurting them. For example, it’s best to avoid overly hard, sticky, darkly colored, or crunchy foods that might damage or dislodge them. You should also continue brushing and flossing twice daily to avoid cavities and gum disease, which cannot affect your veneers but can erode the materials that anchor them in place.
Fact #3: They Can Be Excellent Long-Term Investments
Dental insurance can often be a simple and effective way to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for various procedures, but unfortunately, it usually doesn’t cover the cost of cosmetic services, such as veneers. Furthermore, fitting and placing them usually requires at least two appointments over a couple of weeks.
That means this treatment often requires an investment of both time and personal resources, but, thankfully, the restorations are known to last for 20+ years if well-maintained. They can also help shield the underlying teeth from further damage, which many patients consider more than worth the price they pay.
If you have additional questions about what life looks like with veneers or whether you’re a good candidate for this option, you can learn more by scheduling an appointment with your dentist!
Meet the Author
Dr. Dina Cocco takes pride in helping improve her patients’ lives by helping them build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. She earned her dental degree from the University of Michigan, and today, she participates with several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association. She uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a complete menu of quality services, including veneers, to meet you and your family’s unique needs under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (734) 668-8636.