Maybe you’ve always been insecure about the appearance of your smile. Maybe you’ve recently entered line of work that requires you to look your best from head to toe. Maybe you’ve simply reached a point in your life where you feel like it’s time to pay more attention to you, rather than those of the people around you. Regardless of the reason, you’re in the process of researching options for making over your smile. While porcelain veneers might seem like a straightforward and simple solution, you will need to carefully consider several key factors before moving forward with the procedure.
1. Cost
Veneers are custom-made shells of delicate dental porcelain, created in a lab by technicians based on the design specifications provided by your cosmetic dentist. The high level of skill and precision that goes into fabricating the veneers – not to mention placing them – result in a high cost (relative to some other cosmetic dental procedures). The price of a single veneer can range widely (the current national average can be anywhere from $800 to $2000 per tooth). It should also be noted that due to the cosmetic nature of the procedure, dental insurance often will not cover the cost of veneering.
2. Upkeep
Porcelain veneers look and feel like natural teeth and, for the most part, caring for them is similar to caring for your own natural smile. However, to keep them looking bright and attractive over the long term, most dentists recommend:
- Brushing with low- or non-abrasive toothpaste, since abrasive compounds (e.g. baking soda) can leave microscopic scratches in the porcelain, causing them to accumulate stains more easily.
- Minimizing contact between the veneers and certain foods and drinks that can stain easily, such as coffee, red wine, dark berries, and dark sauces, like soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.
- Avoiding placing unneeded stress on the veneered teeth. For instance, using your veneers to tear open food packages or crunching on ice everyday can cause the veneers to loosen or even fall off.
3. Permanence
Unlike some other cosmetic procedures, traditional porcelain veneers are permanent. Placing veneers requires your dentist to remove a layer of enamel from the front surface of the tooth, to accommodate for the thickness of the veneer. This enamel will not grow back. Therefore, you should only consider veneers if you feel comfortable making a permanent change to your smile.
About Dr. Amanda Foust
Dr. Amanda Foust and her staff think that dental implants are pretty exciting! She partners with respected area periodontists and oral surgeons to ensure her patients receive the very best care throughout all phases of the implant procedure. To schedule your next appointment or consultation, contact us at (515) 965-0230. At Dental Impressions of Ankeny, we offer comprehensive dental services to patients of all ages from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, Alleman, and surrounding cities.
