Porcelain veneers are a quick, cost-effective cosmetic dental solution that can resolve the following issues with your smile:
- Damaged, chipped or broken teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are too small or otherwise malformed
- A “gummy” smile
- Stubborn stains that teeth whitening procedures won’t help
When selecting veneers, you’ll have a choice between composite and porcelain veneers. Both have their advantages, but many choose porcelain veneers for their many benefits.
5 Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers
1. Porcelain Veneers Are Considered a Permanent Cosmetic Solution
Porcelain veneers are a permanent solution. On average, people can expect their porcelain veneers to last between 15 and 20 years before they need to be replaced. Few cosmetic dentistry solutions offer the combination of permanence, ease of placement, and cost effectiveness that porcelain veneers do. And because porcelain veneers offer permanent results, it’s a one-time investment in your smile.
2. Porcelain Veneers Are Designed to Look and Fit Like Your Teeth
Before the dentist does any work on your teeth, they will verify that you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers. If you are, your dentist will first prepare each tooth and take impressions of your bite. These dental impressions are typically sent to a fabrication lab, where they will be used to create the veneers.
Porcelain veneers offer a custom-made, perfect fit. Further, they are color-matched to your existing teeth, designed to look porous like natural teeth (though porcelain veneers are not porous) and have the same reflectivity and translucency as natural teeth.
Although composite veneers can look plenty convincing, porcelain veneers are considered the superior option in terms of appearance.
3. Porcelain Veneers are Stain Resistant
Since porcelain veneers are non-porous, it means they do not soak up stains and hold onto them. They are easier to clean, so it’s easier to maintain their appearance. It is still important to keep up proper oral health care by brushing and flossing each day, but you can eat staining foods and enjoy dark drinks with confidence once your porcelain veneers are in place.
4. Porcelain Veneers Require Minimal Tooth Preparation
Almost all cosmetic dentistry procedures require some degree of tooth preparation. This is also the case with porcelain veneers, though preparation is relatively minimal with veneers. A small amount of tooth enamel, about half a millimeter, must be removed prior to placement to ensure a proper fit, both cosmetically and physically. Otherwise, your veneers would make your teeth look too large and they could be uncomfortable.
Preparation for veneers is permanent, as tooth enamel doesn’t grow back. That means once your porcelain veneers are placed, you’ll need to keep them in place, or replace them once they have worn out. Porcelain veneers are meant to be a permanent cosmetic solution, and with proper oral health care, your veneers will look great and protect the teeth beneath them.
5. Porcelain Veneers are Ready in Less Than a Month
The porcelain veneer process is tolerated well by most patients. Your initial appointment consists of a brief examination, and during this first visit, your dentist may prepare your teeth and take impressions for veneer fabrication. You’ll be given a temporary set of veneers while the permanent porcelain veneers are fabricated.
In all, the entire process takes a few weeks, though the bulk of this time will be waiting for the lab to send back the permanent veneers. This typically takes 2-3 weeks, but once the veneers are ready, the placement procedure is quick.
What's the Difference Between Porcelain Veneers and Composite Veneers?
Most patients opt for either porcelain veneers or a resin composite. There isn’t a single best solution for every person, so here is a comparison of the two:
- Longevity – Porcelain veneers can last 15-20 years before replacement is generally recommended. Composite veneers have a 7–10-year lifespan on average. Porcelain is more durable than resin, which extends its lifespan.
- Appearance – Porcelain veneers are color-matched and textured to look like natural teeth. They also resist staining and are better at covering severely discolored teeth. Composite veneers are also color-matched and are almost as effective as porcelain at creating a natural-like smile. However, composite veneers are more susceptible to staining and do not cover discoloration as well.
- Placement time – Porcelain veneers take a little less than a month, from initial appointment to placement. Composite veneers can be placed in under two weeks, though some types, such as direct composite veneers, may be installed the same day as your initial appointment.
- Cost – Porcelain veneers last longer and provide better results, but they cost about 20-30 percent more than composite veneers.
Porcelain Veneers Can Improve Your Smile and Your Confidence
Porcelain veneers are a permanent, natural-looking solution that can resolve an array of cosmetic dentistry issues. For the person who wants to permanently improve their smile without extensive cosmetic work, porcelain veneers are a popular option. Contact a reputable Houston dentist to set up an appointment and determine whether porcelain veneers are an option for you.