Comprehensive Guide to Dental Veneers

Pros & Cons of Veneers

Many celebrities opt for veneers, which are responsible for a lot of the perfect smiles you see on television and in movies.

At first, that might sound like the answer to your aesthetic dental concerns too. But there are pros and cons to consider. Dental veneers are not the best choice for everybody, and it is important for you to be well informed before choosing them, as they are not a reversible option.

Let’s take a good look at what dental veneers are, what they are made of, and how the fitting process means they are not reversible. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of veneers, leaving you with the knowledge you need to make the best decision for yourself.

The veneering process

To have veneers made for your teeth, you first need to have either a scan or a mould taken of the area. At No Frills Dental, we use iTero Elements 2 Intraoral scanning, which is quick and painless.

After scanning, you will need to sit in the dentist’s chair a couple of times to have the work completed. In your first session, we will prepare your teeth to receive your veneers.

The preparation work involves slightly shaving or trimming down the enamel on those teeth that are to receive the veneers. The enamel is shaved back by 0.5 to 1 millimetre, to allow space for the veneer to be cemented to each tooth. This is done on the front of the teeth, and a little in between where your teeth sit alongside each other, to allow a perfect fit.

This trimming or shaving is never done to the back of your teeth, which remain unaffected by the veneers.

At the end of the preparation, you will be fitted with temporary veneers to keep you comfortable while your permanent ones are being custom-made by the dental laboratory.

When you return for your second session a week or two later, you will have your permanent veneers bonded to your teeth with dental cement. Any minor corrections you need to the veneers will be made while you are there, and you will go home with your new smile.

Am I suitable for veneers?

Veneers may be suitable for you if you wish to perfect your smile, but you don’t need any structural damage fixed. For example, you may have staining, discolouration, or slightly crooked or uneven-looking teeth.

If you have generally good oral health and only require aesthetic improvement, then veneers can give you a wonderful confidence boost and a beautiful smile.

However, veneers are not suitable for everybody. If you have cracked or broken teeth, you may want to consider a more restorative dental procedure such as dental crowns. Veneers are an aesthetic solution, but do not offer structural support.

Good oral health is required to keep your teeth healthy, and support the longevity or your dental veneers. For this reason, people with periodontal disease may not be suitable candidates for veneers.

You may also not be a suitable candidate if you grind your teeth, as this is likely to cause constant damage to the veneers.

Are veneers permanent?

As you have just read, the fitting of veneers requires your tooth enamel to be shaved back. This leaves your teeth a little more exposed to sensitivity without the veneer in place.

Once you go through the process of having veneers fitted, you would not want to be without them. Your shaved teeth without the outer shell of the veneer may be sensitive, and may also not look how you want them to.

Veneers can be longwearing, especially when looked after correctly. But they do not last a lifetime. So have in mind that if you opt for veneers once, then you will need to maintain them and replace them in due course.

The lifespan of a veneer can range between 8 and 15 years, depending on the material and how you look after them. We will discuss this in more detail, with the other pros and cons below.

Cost of Veneers

Let’s talk about those costs now, so you know what to budget for. In Singapore, porcelain veneers cost from $1000+ per tooth, varying a little based on the complexity of your case.  With indirect composite veneers, you can expect to pay between from $250+ per tooth, depending on how complicated your case is. Direct composite veneers are the cheapest option, costing from $200 per tooth – but again prices vary a little due to complexity.

At No Frills Dental we have a $50 fee for our initial consultation, which is waived upon starting your treatment with us. In this consultation we will assess your suitability for dental veneers, which may involve having an Intraoral scan to render a 3D model of your affected teeth.

We will also discuss the veneer material options with you, to help you make a well-informed choice that best suits your lifestyle and requirements.

Alternatives to Veneers

If veneers are not your best option, then there are many other possible solutions to investigate. As previously mentioned, some people who initially consider veneers will opt for dental crowns instead.

Crowns are a good choice if your concerns are more than just the appearance of your teeth. If you have some structural damage, like cracks in your teeth, or very big fillings that have weakened your tooth, then a crown can offer the structural support you need, as well as the aesthetic improvement.

On the other hand, if your concerns are aesthetic only, but you don’t want an irreversible procedure like veneers, then there are other choices too. You might consider teeth whitening to brighten your smile. Or if your teeth are crooked, Invisalign might be an option for you to consider.

For more solutions, take a look at our Total Smile Makeover post here.