Improving Your Dental Care

Are Veneers Right For You? What You Need To Know

If you are looking for a more attractive smile, porcelain veneers may be the right option for you. One of the benefits of porcelain veneer treatment is that it is a speedy way to improve the appearance of your smile. Porcelain veneers are affixed to the outside of your teeth. They can hide a host of cosmetic issues ranging from chips, cracks, crooked teeth, gaps, and staining. But are veneers right for you? Here are three things that you need to know.

They Require Some Enamel Removal

The first thing that you should be aware of is that veneers do require the removal of some of your teeth's enamel. Enamel is removed before the veneers are put into place so that the teeth will bond correctly to the veneer. It's important to note that enamel removal is an irreversible change to your teeth and something that you should consider carefully. If you want porcelain veneers but do not wish to remove enamel, no-prep veneers are a great option. This type of veneer is thin and requires little to no enamel removal. However, these veneers do not last as long and are often pricier.

How Much They Cost

Another thing to consider when determining whether or not porcelain veneers are the best option for your needs is whether or not they fit within your budget. The average cost of traditional porcelain veneers ranges from $500 to $1,100 per tooth. No-prep veneers cost between $700 and $1,300 per tooth. While porcelain veneer treatment is pricey, in most cases, you will only need them on a few of your teeth.

Maintenance Is Needed

The good news is that if you do decide to go through with veneers, the upkeep is easy. You will, of course, continue to brush and floss as you usually would. However, there is some upkeep. While porcelain is very resistant to staining, your natural teeth are not. Teeth whitening may be needed for your teeth not covered by veneers to match the ones that are covered by veneers. You'll also likely want to go to the dentist for teeth whitening to ensure that your natural teeth match your veneers. The average cost of teeth whitening at the dentist is $650.

If you are wondering if porcelain veneers are right for your smile, there are a few things that you need to know when making your decision. First, veneers usually require enamel removal, which means a permanent change for your underlying natural teeth. Veneers are also pricey, especially no-prep options. You will also need to maintain your veneers, and teeth whitening is typically required since veneers resist staining, but natural teeth do not. 


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