One of the most popular, most versatile, and least expensive approaches to cosmetic dentistry is porcelain veneers. They are natural looking, relatively noninvasive, and much lest costly than other cosmetic options. They can be used to correct a range of problems you might see in your smile, and they are durable and don’t require extensive additional care. All these advantages add up to make veneers an excellent solution to many problems you might see with your smile.
How Veneers Work
Veneers are custom made to match your teeth and are color-matched so the porcelain doesn’t look out of place in your mouth. Porcelain naturally reflects light in much the same way as enamel does, which also contributes to their natural look. Typically, veneers are placed in two stages—first, your teeth are prepared, then a mold is taken and your dentist fits you with temporary veneers. Your permanent veneers are manufactured in an off-site lab. When they return after a few days, they are affixed to your teeth with a powerful adhesive.
Why Veneers are Less Expensive than Crowns
One of the biggest advantages of veneers over other cosmetic options, like cosmetic crowns, is their cost. Because they are made of a very thin layer of porcelain, they are much less expensive than a crown, which is made either of a larger amount of porcelain, of precious metal such as gold, or a combination of the two. The procedure to place veneers takes much less time and is much less invasive, so that, too, will cut back on the cost. In some cases, veneers don’t even require your dentist to alter the underlying tooth because they are so thin.
This less invasive procedure is also preferred because only a very small amount of enamel must be removed from your tooth. In fact, some veneers are so thin that no enamel at all needs to be removed—they’re just affixed right to the surface of the tooth. This means much less trauma for the tooth and probably less trauma for the patient, since you might not need extensive anesthesia—or any anesthesia at all.
For more information, contact our office today.
