Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers

One of our top cosmetic dentistry procedures at Maniscalco Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Birmingham is porcelain veneers. If you have ever wondered how so many celebrities have achieved such beautiful smiles, odds are it’s with help from porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover your teeth in order to create a new shape and color. They can be used to mask lots of dental problems and to help improve the appearance of teeth. There are so many uses for porcelain veneers. You can have perfectly white and straight looking teeth without braces or teeth whitening. Talk to Dr. Maniscalco to find out if porcelain veneers are the right solution for you. Continue reading to see the different pros and cons associated with the procedure.

Pros of Porcelain Veneers

Improved Appearance

Although there are a number of pros and cons of porcelain veneers, the pros outweigh the cons. One of the top pros of porcelain veneers is the improved teeth appearance. Veneers can easily help you transform your smile with this simple procedure. Instead of waiting months to years for perfectly aligned teeth with an orthodontic treatment followed by teeth whitening, you can achieve your new smile in simply two visits to our Birmingham dentist office. Porcelain veneers look completely natural and will help you achieve your desired smile.

Whiter Smile

If you are prone to significant teeth staining whether due to your eating and drinking habits or you take medication that causes severe staining, you might not respond well to whitening treatment. Teeth whitening needs to be done regularly to maintain a white smile. It might be smarter to opt for porcelain veneers if you want to have a stain resistant smile that lasts through everything. When you receive porcelain veneers, you and Dr. Maniscalco will pick out your desired shade and that will be the color of your smile while you have the veneers. You won’t need to worry about whitening your teeth or worrying about foods that stain.

Durable

When it comes to a long-lasting smile, you can expect your porcelain veneers to last you up to 20 years! That’s a lot compared to composite veneers which last around 7. The upfront cost might sound like a lot, but once you factor in how long these will last, they are worth the money in the long run! Porcelain veneers are also a better solution for masking cracks and chips than dental bonding due to how long they last.

Immediate Results

Unlike braces or teeth whitening, porcelain veneer results are seen immediately. Once your dentist permanently installs them in your mouth, your smile will be completely transformed and new in a flash. If you want immediate cosmetic dentistry results, porcelain veneers in Birmingham are the right choice for you.

Can Fix Multiple Problems

The list of problems porcelain veneers can fix is endless. First of all, they can hide cracks, chips or even worn down teeth. This can save you from short lasting dental bonding, or expensive dental crowns. They can even make your teeth look longer if you suffer from a gummy smile or just have teeth that disproportionate. In addition, porcelain veneers can hide gaps and even slightly crooked teeth in order to make it look like you got a full orthodontic treatment. Lastly, veneers can cover up stained or discolored teeth. Overall, veneers are an easy way to achieve a whiter, straighter and proportionate smile.

Easy Maintenance

Patients should be happy to know that the maintenance of porcelain veneers is quite simple. All it involves is caring for your teeth as you normally would. This includes brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly for cleaning. You should avoid chewing ice or other hard items that may damage your teeth. In addition, you will need to be sure you don’t use an abrasive toothpaste and to wear a night guard if you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep. Also be sure to wear a mouth guard during any contact sports to protect your teeth.

Cons of Porcelain Veneers

Not Everyone is Eligible

Of all of the pros and cons of porcelain veneers, one of the main cons is that not every patient is eligible for porcelain veneers in Birmingham. Patients who do not have the best dental health, or suffer from bruxism, a weak tooth enamel or have decayed or weak teeth will not be good candidates for veneers. Dr. Maniscalco examines his patients thoroughly before giving the green light on cosmetic procedures.

High Price

Porcelain veneers are not a cheap cosmetic dentistry treatment, if anything, they are one of the most expensive. Talk to our staff to find out how much your treatment will cost and to learn about our different payment options.

Increased Tooth Sensitivity

During your procedure, Dr. Maniscalco will remove part of your enamel in order to make room for the veneers, and as a result, this causes some patients to have an increased tooth sensitivity.

Irreversible

Unless you are receiving an extra thin porcelain veneer, our Birmingham dentist will need to remove part of your enamel. This means it’s critical that you always have veneers on your teeth otherwise your enamel will be exposed. The veneers can also not be reshaped once they are put in place, so it’s important that you are completely happy with your veneers or be willing to pay the price for new ones.

Risk of Trauma

Although only a small amount of enamel is removed, patients are still at risk for receiving trauma to their teeth. This will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Maniscalco.

Porcelain Veneers in Birmingham

If you have read the above pros and cons of porcelain veneers and decided that you want to move forward with a porcelain veneers consultation, give our Birmingham dentist office a call to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve your smile goals through our cosmetic dentistry treatments.