If you’ve been thinking of having veneers placed on one or more of your teeth, congratulations! Veneers are one of the absolute fastest ways to improve the look for your teeth.
But veneers aren’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to enjoying a bright and beautiful smile. For example, many people believe that veneers are “instant.” That is, that they can walk into a dentist’s office and an hour later walk out with veneers.
Take a look below for the truth about the “myth” described above, as well as three additional misconceptions many people have about veneers.
1. Veneers are “instant.” They are not. Having one or more veneers placed on your teeth will take a minimum of two visits with your dentist. The first is to ascertain if you’re a good candidate for veneers (other than the crooked or chipped tooth, your teeth and gums need to be healthy) and to create a mold of the teeth on which the veneers – shells that go over the teeth – will be placed. It’s possible – if the dentist has a lab on-site at which the veneers are made – that on your second visit he can shave down the teeth on which the veneers will be placed (so that the veneer will fit perfectly over your teeth) and then place and bond the veneers to your teeth, but many dentists shave your teeth during the second visit (placing temporary caps on them) and then place and bond the veneers on the teeth during the third visit.
2. Veneers can be placed over all teeth and make the perfect smile. While this is possible, veneers are very expensive and generally are not covered by insurance. Veneers cost, on average $1,000 - $3,000 per tooth, so a full mouth of veneers would end up costing close to – or far more – than $30,000. Instead, most dentists recommend that patients looking for the full pearly-white effect get veneers on a few of their front teeth, and then have the remaining teeth professionally whitened.
3. Veneers can replace missing teeth. While veneers can fill in gaps between teeth, they can’t replace missing teeth and always are placed over an existing tooth. The existing tooth may be chipped or very crooked, but a tooth must be there. Patients with this belief about veneers probably have them confused with dental implants, in which the dentist places an artificial tooth root into your jaw and then attaches a replacement tooth or bridge to the implant. Dental implants often replace missing teeth.
4. They will last forever. If only that were true! While veneers are very sturdy and you can eat all foods with nary a restriction, they will need replacing at some point. Veneers, when taken care of properly, will last five to 12 years. Proper care means taking care of them just as you would any tooth (because they actually do cover your teeth). Which means you’ll need to watch your sweets and starches, brush twice a day, floss at least once a day, and visit your dentist for a professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year.
Veneers are amazing. They look just like your real teeth, yet they improve the appearance and shape of your teeth immensely. They may not be the absolute perfect solution to stained, dingy, crooked, or chipped teeth, but they come very close.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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