What are Dental Veneers, and How Do I Choose?

Dental veneers are shells that resemble natural teeth and are fitted over teeth with some issues. The main aim of installing veneers is to alter your natural teeth’ color, size, and shape. A patient could have teeth of different sizes, chipped, crooked, or discolored teeth. There are many Temecula veneers to choose from including:

1. Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain is a popular material for dental restorations due to its esthetic appeal. If you choose this option, you will end up with a naturally beautiful smile. Durability is another factor that draws patients to these veneers and this is attributed to the strong material that makes them. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, which works well with smokers or people who consume beverages that cause discoloration.

Your leading dentists highly recommend porcelain veneers as they do not damage your gums or adjacent teeth to avoid more dental problems in the future. They are also durable, which means they can last for up to fifteen years with proper maintenance.

On the downside, installing porcelain veneers requires an invasive procedure that is also time-consuming and expensive. Paying upwards of $925 per tooth is too pricey for some patients, especially if they need this procedure for more than one tooth.

2. Lumineers Veneers

These kinds of veneers are translucent and very thin, with a thickness of 0.2 millimeters. This incredible thinness means the dentist will not have to reduce your natural teeth to place Lumineers veneers. Maintaining the size of your natural teeth and longer durability of up to twenty years makes these veneers superior to porcelain veneers.

3. Composite Veneers

Composite veneers have the same material used in composite fillings and they are much easier to install. Just like filling procedures, preparing composite veneers is not complicated and can be completed in one visit. The process starts with reshaping the affected tooth then sculpting the composite bonding on top of the said tooth. Composite veneers have a durability of up to seven years and if the bonding material chips off, that specific area is repaired without removing the entire veneer.

4. Removable Veneers

If you wish to have a non-invasive procedure, removable veneers are a great option. The dentist will prepare molds to match your upper and lower teeth, which you can place and remove with ease. Removable veneers work just like clear aligners and are less expensive than the options discussed above.

On the downside, these veneers do not match your natural teeth, which means they are more noticeable when smiling and they can be uncomfortable when speaking or eating. More so, their longevity is much less, so you will need more frequent dental visits to replace them, which can be inconvenient.

Consulting with an experienced dentist is key so they can help you make an informed choice that meets your comfort level and budget. If you are struggling with discolored, chipped, or other dental issues making your smile unsightly, veneers are an ideal solution for you.