| One of the most dramatic teeth treatments is | | | | extremely cautious about reviewing the photos and |
| porcelain veneers-an intricate (and expensive!) | | | | results of other veneers your prospective dentist has |
| procedure in which natural tooth material is removed | | | | done. |
| from the tooth's surface and then replaced with a thin | | | | I have veneers that have fallen off, is that normal? |
| porcelain sheath that is strongly and permanently | | | | No. If teeth are properly prepared and the veneers |
| bonded to the front of the tooth. | | | | have been correctly bonded, they should not fall of as |
| Other than the high cost, this sounds wonderful, right? | | | | long as there are no problems related to your bite. |
| Consider the advantages: | | | | Often times it is usually a failure of improper bonding. |
| Veneers can correct many of the natural | | | | Bonding porcelain to teeth is a technically sensitive |
| imperfections in teeth that could take months to | | | | procedure. If the surfaces are not properly treated and |
| change through other methods like braces. Short and | | | | free of contaminants such as oil, water or saliva, there |
| stubby teeth - wavy surfaces - gaps between teeth - | | | | will be a bond failure. |
| uneven lengths - can all become non issues with a | | | | I have discoloration at the margins of my veneers |
| skillfully applied set of veneers. Veneers are manmade | | | | where they meet the tooth and I can see my old tooth |
| material that will never discolor. So veneers can not | | | | color between my teeth. Is there anything I can do? |
| only instantly create teeth in any desired shade of | | | | It sounds like the veneers were not bonded correctly. |
| whiteness, unlike your natural teeth, the veneer material | | | | Either you have resin cement that has discolored or |
| will never stain or darken or be affected by dental | | | | there is a gap and stains are getting into the margin. |
| decay. | | | | The fact that you can see the color of your original |
| Many television personalities, performers and actors | | | | tooth probably means that the tooth was not reduced |
| have obtained their perfect smiles through the help of | | | | properly so that the porcelain would cover that part of |
| porcelain veneers applied by the hands of the | | | | the tooth. |
| industry's most skilled cosmetic dentists, enforcing the | | | | What are the most typical complaints about dental |
| popular stereotype of the "Hollywood smile." | | | | veneers? |
| However, before you jump to invest your life's savings | | | | Incomplete coverage of the tooth can occur if a |
| in a set of bright new veneers, here are a few things | | | | veneer doesn't cover the edges of the teeth |
| to consider: | | | | completely, leaving the spaces between the teeth |
| Are veneers permanent? | | | | prone to darkening or decay. Also, if gum shrinkage |
| In a word, no. Long lasting, certainly-but even with the | | | | occurs in the years after the veneers are applied, |
| most modern materials and applications, the typical life | | | | there will be additional tooth exposed that isn't covered |
| of a veneer is approximately 10 years. Even more | | | | by the original veneer, which could lead to an artificial |
| concerning-depending on lifestyle and habits, veneers | | | | "two-toned" appearance at the top of the smile. |
| can chip, break or fall completely away from the tooth | | | | Far and away, however, the most common complaints |
| at various (and at the most inconvenient) of times, | | | | surrounding too white, too thick, or poorly applied |
| requiring costly follow up treatments at various | | | | veneers can result in an artificial "denture-like" |
| intervals for the rest of your life. | | | | appearance that ironically doesn't enhance a person's |
| Since their inception as a means of cosmetic | | | | appearance-it could actually serve to make the |
| restoration in the 1980's, methods and materials for | | | | individual appear more old (not unlike the stark |
| applying porcelain veneers have substantially improved. | | | | appearance of a jet-black hair dye or wig on a middle |
| Many factors can influence the longevity of veneers | | | | aged individual-yes, the gray hair is eliminated, but a |
| such as: the effectiveness of the bond to the tooth, | | | | software hair tone would be more forgiving of the skin |
| the patient's bite, and inappropriate use of one's teeth | | | | tone and "laugh lines" that naturally become more |
| (such as to bite package labels or hard materials). | | | | apparent with age). It is important to consider the |
| Skillfully and correctly applied and protected | | | | overall impact and even "try on" a color or style of |
| appropriately, a set of veneers could last well beyond | | | | dental improvement for size before making an |
| the original10 year estimate. And as newer and better | | | | expensive decision that may be difficult or impossible |
| adhesives emerge, who knows how long today's new | | | | to adjust or reverse. |
| veneers could survive? | | | | Also-it is important to note that nail biting is one of the |
| But realistically, if you are planning to purchase veneers, | | | | habits that is most damaging to any variety of dental |
| you should also plan for eventual maintenance and | | | | veneers. If you have a nail biter, you must be sure you |
| replacement of even the best set of veneers. | | | | are able to reliably break that habit before you invest in |
| What if I don't like the look of my veneers? | | | | veneers. |
| Although it is possible to change or replace veneers | | | | Are there other drawbacks to dental veneers? |
| that don't suit you, it can't be said too many times: You | | | | Far and away, the biggest con to porcelain veneers is |
| should check and double check and triple check the | | | | their cost. A single porcelain veneer can cost upwards |
| results, the reputation and even the warranty of the | | | | of $1,500 (plus eventual replacement and maintenance). |
| cosmetic practitioner you choose. | | | | Veneers constructed of "composite" materials may be |
| When clients are unhappy, their complaints can include | | | | less expensive - however, with an investment for |
| a feeling of "thickness" that can happen if a dentist | | | | something as permanent and as visible as veneers, |
| didn't reduce the tooth enough to allow room for the | | | | you will want to save your money for the best |
| porcelain layer or the dental lab who constructed the | | | | product you can possibly afford. |
| veneers made them too thick. In addition to checking | | | | Because of the high cost, it is typical for clients to |
| references, see if your prospective dentist can fit you | | | | purchase veneers for just the front 6 or 8 teeth that |
| with a diagnostic "wax-up" that can help you see and | | | | are exposed when they smile, and clients frequently |
| feel what the finished product will look like before you | | | | purchase veneers for top teeth only. In this case it is |
| proceed. | | | | critical that clients whiten their bottom and remaining |
| If I'm not happy, can I have my veneers re-done? | | | | teeth that are visible as often as required to avoid an |
| Yes, it is possible for dentists to remove and replace | | | | unsightly mismatch with the veneers. It is also important |
| veneers that are old or that aren't to a client's | | | | to pay attention to the spaces between teeth to keep |
| liking-however, one should consider the difficulty (and | | | | them from darkening with time and use and creating |
| expense) of having this done. Far beyond the intricacy | | | | an even more visible disparity with the glowing white |
| of applying a veneer in the first place, the most | | | | veneers on the front of their teeth. |
| challenging cases any cosmetic dentist will face would | | | | If we have convinced you of nothing more, the most |
| be the process of removing a newly-applied veneer to | | | | important factor to remember in considering veneers is |
| correct someone else's mistakes. The removal of old | | | | that veneers are nigh unto permanent. Many people |
| veneers can be extremely costly and tedious, and if a | | | | look upon porcelain veneers as the greatest |
| dentist removed too much tooth structure, the mistake | | | | investment they've ever made-but perhaps more than |
| could even affect the longevity and health of the | | | | any other appearance altering procedure, it is important |
| original tooth. This is yet one more reason to be very | | | | to enter the decision to purchase veneers with |
| sure of your decision to purchase veneers and to be | | | | thorough research and impeccable care. |