Veneers: What Are Dental Veneers? Cost, Procedure & Advantages (2024)

What are veneers?

Veneers are coverings that fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. Technicians use high-quality dental materials, like tooth-colored composite or porcelain, to create them.

Dental veneers are cosmetic in nature. They can conceal a wide range of aesthetic imperfections, including chips, cracks, gaps, tooth discoloration and more.

How do veneers work?

Veneers cover the front surfaces of your teeth to enhance your smile. They work by camouflaging cosmetic flaws.

Who needs dental veneers?

Anyone who wants to enhance the appearance of their smile can explore veneers. These dental restorations can camouflage:

  • Chipped or broken teeth.
  • Diastema (gaps or spaces in your smile).
  • Stains that don’t improve with teeth whitening.
  • Teeth that are too small.
  • Misshapen teeth.

It’s important to note that veneers are only an option if you’re free of extensive cavities and gum disease. If you have serious oral health issues, you should address those first before exploring cosmetic treatments.

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Veneers vs crowns: What’s the difference?

A porcelain veneer only covers the front surface of a tooth to enhance its appearance. A dental crown, on the other hand, covers the entire tooth structure to add strength and protection.

Dental veneers are a cosmetic treatment. In other words, they improve your smile, but they don’t necessarily strengthen or repair your teeth. While dental crowns can also improve the appearance of your teeth, their main purpose is to restore teeth that are badly damaged by decay or trauma.

Are there different types of veneers?

Yes. There are a few different types of veneers, including composite veneers, porcelain veneers, no-prep veneers, and removable veneers.

Composite veneers

Composite veneers can conceal mild cosmetic issues. Your dentist uses a tooth-colored composite resin — the same material used for dental bonding — to achieve the desired results.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers can address a number of aesthetic imperfections. These restorations are custom-made to fit your dental anatomy. Before placement, your dentist must remove some enamel from your natural teeth. This roughens your teeth surfaces and helps your new veneers stay in place.

No-prep veneers

No-prep or minimal-prep veneers are a less invasive option. Like traditional porcelain veneers, no-prep veneers are custom-made for your smile. However, they require less enamel removal than traditional veneers.

It’s important to understand that no-prep veneers still require some enamel removal.

No-prep veneers aren’t right for everyone. Ask your dentist if you’re a candidate.

Removable veneers

Removable veneers — also called pop-on veneers or snap-on veneers — cover your natural teeth to hide imperfections. Like retainers, you can take removable veneers out anytime. Removable veneers can enhance your smile — but they can make it difficult to eat, and they could have a negative impact on your speech.

There isn’t a lot of research available on removable veneers because they’ve only been around for a few years. Ask your dentist if this option is safe for you.

Veneers: What Are Dental Veneers? Cost, Procedure & Advantages (2024)

FAQs

Can you go back to normal teeth after veneers? ›

Once veneers are placed, removing them and returning them to the original teeth with some intervention is generally only possible. As previously stated, before veneers are attached to the teeth, a tiny portion of enamel is usually removed. Enamel is not a regenerative tissue, meaning it cannot regrow independently.

What happens to teeth under veneers? ›

Yes, it is possible to get cavities under veneers, but only if you don't brush and floss your teeth properly. Although veneers add a layer of protection by isolating teeth from the surrounding environment, it's still possible for decay to form under and around the veneer.

How do veneers stay on? ›

Etching roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer, and it is then placed on your tooth.

Who should not get veneers? ›

When people do not have enough tooth enamel, the bonding process can fail, leading to less durable and effective porcelain veneers. That is why those with an insufficient amount of tooth enamel may not be considered candidates for porcelain veneers.

Are veneers painful to get? ›

You should not experience any major discomfort during the placement, but it can take up to a couple of weeks for your mouth to adjust to the changes that have been made. You might feel some mild tenderness, you might have to readjust your bite, and your teeth may feel bulky for a few days. This is only temporary.

How long does it take for veneers to fully heal? ›

Within about two weeks, sensitivity and most discomfort resolve. But fully adapting to veneers takes a bit longer: Speech adaption – May experience minor lisping for 2-4 weeks. Slowly improves with practice.

What happens when veneers fall off? ›

Reattachment: If the veneer is intact and the underlying tooth structure is still in good condition, reattaching the veneer is a plausible option. Replacement: In cases where the veneer is damaged, or the tooth has undergone changes that prevent reattachment, a new veneer will be crafted and placed.

Can veneers cause problems? ›

Like any procedure, there are potential risks associated with getting teeth veneers. Some common side effects include tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and allergic reactions to the materials used. In rare cases, veneers may become loose or fall off, requiring additional treatment.

Can you get cavities on veneers? ›

While the dental porcelain used in your veneers will not decay, it is possible for cavities to form behind your porcelain veneers. When this happens, the resulting tooth decay will threaten the long term health of your teeth and potentially shorten the lifespan of your restoration.

Do teeth go yellow under veneers? ›

Your real teeth aren't protected entirely from tooth decay, so consuming large amounts of soda and fizzy drinks can cause your teeth to turn yellow, which may become visible through your veneers.

Do you brush your teeth with veneers? ›

However, don't abandon your oral hygiene habits just yet. Veneers and their supporting teeth need proper care! It's crucial to brush your veneers — and teeth — twice a day. We recommend reaching for a non-abrasive toothpaste that's free from gritty ingredients like baking soda and charcoal.

Why do veneers look so big? ›

Veneers that appear too big can result from various factors, including incorrect measurements, improper placement, or simply a miscommunication between you and your dentist. This can lead to discomfort, difficulty speaking, and a less-than-natural look.

Why do my veneers smell? ›

The reason veneers smell when they're flossed is that they have a composite resin build-up on them. This build-up is a mixture of saliva, bacteria, and food particles trapped under the veneer. When you floss, this build-up can be dislodged and released through the gums, creating a smell.

Are veneers worth the money? ›

In conclusion. Veneers are an excellent cosmetic solution for transforming damaged, discolored, or crooked teeth. However, veneers are quite expensive and don't address any underlying issues with dental health. The process takes about 1-3 visits involves trimming down your teeth for the material to be placed.

What do veneers look like after 10 years? ›

By the time you reach the tenth year, your veneers will have aged like fine wine. While they may not sparkle quite as brightly as they did in their infancy, their enduring charm remains intact. The subtle imperfections that have emerged over the years only enhance the natural beauty of your smile.

Do veneers have side effects? ›

During veneer placement, the dentist needs to remove some enamel off the surface of your teeth so that the veneers fit properly. Unfortunately, the removal of the enamel can make your teeth prone to sensitivity. You may experience this when you are consuming hot or cold food.

What happens if you don't want veneers anymore? ›

There is no turning back.

This means that if you realize one day that you don't want to have veneers anymore, you can never have your natural teeth back. But most people don't regret getting cosmetic dental work unless you had bad results from an unqualified dentist.

Are veneers a lot of upkeep? ›

Composite veneers are softer than porcelain and more susceptible to damage. These need the same regular cleaning and brushing as natural teeth. However, composite veneers are more vulnerable to damage from acidic and high-sugar diets. Bad habits, such as smoking, can stain composite veneers more quickly than porcelain.

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