If you have a stained, cracked, or chipped smile, chances are that you have considered cosmetic dentistry to help upgrade your smile. While there are many options to consider, porcelain veneers can be both fast and cost-effective.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored “shells” that are applied to the surface of your teeth. They can hide all kinds of damage, whether your teeth just need to be whitened or repaired and strengthened.

As with all cosmetic dentistry procedures, there are both pros and cons to getting veneers. Let’s take a look at both sides of the decision to figure out if they’re right for you.

Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

The biggest advantage of veneers is that they can fix your teeth in a mostly-permanent way. While they aren’t immune to damage, they’re quite strong and durable, and they generally last for more than 10 years before you even need to think about replacing them. Don’t let the “porcelain” part of their name fool you into thinking that they’re fragile. They last much longer than other kinds of dental composites, so they’re a great choice for people who want to fix their teeth and be done with it. They require no special maintenance.

Another great thing about veneers is that they’re custom-made, so they’ll be completely unique to your particular mouth. They won’t feel bulky or uncomfortable. They won’t hurt. They’ll mold to your teeth like they were meant to be there.

Veneers are also invisible to detection when shaped and shaded correctly to match the rest of your teeth. Unlike silver crowns and fillings, no one will be able to tell that you have veneers. If you’re worried about having obvious dental work done, veneers can give you the look that you desire without broadcasting it to the world.

Last but not least, porcelain veneers won’t irritate your gums. The tissue of your mouth will tolerate their presence. This means that you won’t ever have to deal with gingival discomfort when wearing veneers, which is a rare and remarkable thing when you’re talking about long-term shells.

Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers

While there are many benefits to veneers, there are some downsides that you need to know as well.

The biggest disadvantage is the way that they permanently alter the structure of your teeth. A small layer of enamel needs to be removed for the shell to fit, and you can’t get that enamel back once it’s gone. In an ideal world, you’ll be happy with your veneers forever, and this will be a non-issue. However, it’s something to consider if you’re not certain that you want veneers to be a lifelong choice.

Another drawback of veneers is their cost. They average about $1,000 – $2,000 per tooth, so if you don’t have insurance, you might need to get on some kind of payment plan to afford them. It’s also a good idea to double-check with your insurance company to make sure that they’re covered.

Veneers can also be stained by certain beverages. While you won’t have to swear off coffee and tea entirely, you’ll need to be careful with the amount that you consume. You don’t want your veneers to be a different color than the rest of your teeth!

Finally, veneers can increase your sensitivity to hot and cold. They aren’t painful in any way, but if you’re a big ice cream lover, veneers might give you stronger sensations than usual when you enjoy your favorite treat. It’s something to keep in mind before investing in them.

These are just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of porcelain veneers.

Want to learn even more about porcelain veneers? Here’s a video on Union Square Dental‘s website that explains everything you need to know. As you can see, there are many things to consider before you make your final decision, so don’t rush anything. Take your time and think about all sides of your choice before hopping into the dental chair.