Are veneers permanent - Dental veneers are an emerging cosmetic procedure and an excellent option to achieve that perfect Hollywood smile. This might be what you’re looking for if you have chipped, broken, gapped, crooked, smaller-than-average, or even stained teeth. But is it a permanent solution to your dental woes?
What are Veneers?
Veneers are wafer-thin custom-made coverings or shells that are attached to the front, visible part of your teeth and improve their appearance. These are often made from porcelain or resin composite materials and look like natural teeth. If you’re looking to improve your smile, veneers can be a simple option.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Veneers are not permanent; they generally last between 7 and 15 years depending on how well you care for them. With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, your veneers will last with you for years without any breakage or discolouration. But the fact that your dentist will have to remove a tiny amount (about half a millimetre) of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the veneer makes the process irreversible. So if your veneers chip or discolour after a few years or you simply decide to remove them, you must replace them with new ones.
It is important to approach a dentist you can trust because how well the procedure is carried out will play a large role in how permanent your new smile will be.
Types of Veneers
Veneers are usually made of porcelain or composite resin.
1. Porcelain Veneers
These are stronger, aesthetic, long-lasting (last around 8-15 years), and resist staining better than resin veneers, and do not harm your gums. They are natural-looking and mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth. Most people get these.
2. Composite Veneers
These are made of composite resin (initiator, resin, coupling agent, and filler). These are not as durable as porcelain veneers, and stain easier, but are also less expensive.
We can also categorize them according to the amount of preparation required:
3. Traditional Veneers
These are most commonly used and require intensive prep work grinding down the tooth’s structure for the veneer to be installed. Local anaesthesia will be used.
4. No-prep Veneers
These require less preparation for the tooth and can use the processes of etching or bonding. Getting these is a less invasive procedure as less enamel needs to be removed. This doesn’t require local anaesthesia and can be done in a single sitting, lasting around 5-7 years.
Both traditional and no-prep varieties can be made from porcelain or composite resin. Traditional veneers are a more permanent solution and less expensive than no-prep ones.
Other options include Lumineers, which are a brand of veneers that require minimal teeth preparation before bonding. This procedure is reversible, but they don’t last as long and don’t look as natural as their porcelain or composite alternatives.
Cost of Veneers in India
Dental veneers may cost anywhere around 10,ooo INR for one tooth in India. The exact cost will depend on your dentist, where you live, the type of veneers you opt for, and the present condition of your teeth.
Pros & Cons of Veneers
Veneers can be a good option if:
- Your teeth are discoloured and resistant to whitening treatment.
- You don’t want to go for extended orthodontic treatments, crowns, or dentures (veneers can be done in only two visits)
- You have broken/chipped teeth, stained teeth, gaps in the teeth, smaller-than-average teeth, or unusually-shaped teeth. Veneers have a realistic appearance.
However, as with every good thing, there are cons to look out for:
- Veneers are an irreversible procedure.
- They can be costly.
- You will still have to take care of them as you would of your original teeth as they can be fragile and chip at excessive impact. If they do, you may have to get new ones.
- You will need to get them replaced about every 15 years.
Procedure of Getting Veneers
Getting veneers is an in-office procedure requiring a couple of visits. But before you begin, your dentist will take X-rays and check your teeth for signs of tooth decay or gum disease to determine if you are a candidate for veneers, and might need to treat you before proceeding. Once your teeth are healthy, this is how it goes:
Your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer (~0.5mm) of enamel with a grinding tool to make room for the veneers. Local anaesthesia will be used to avoid pain. Then, he’ll take an impression of your teeth and send the mold away to the lab.
For this, he will use a shade guide to match the colour of your adjacent teeth. He may give you temporary veneers to wear in the meantime.
In around 1-2 weeks, your veneers will be ready. Now, your dentist thoroughly cleans your teeth to avoid bacteria being trapped under the veneer and causing decay. With a grinding tool, they will create a rougher texture on your teeth so the veneers will stick.
Next, he examines its fit and colour, then uses dental cement to bind the veneer to the tooth, and then cures the cement with a tiny UV light and you’re good to go!
Some might only get one veneer to fix a chipped or broken tooth, but many get a set of six to eight veneers for an even smile.
How to Take Care of Veneers?
Once you get veneers, here’s how to get the most out of them:
- Maintain good oral hygiene - brush and floss regularly.
- Don’t use your teeth to open things. Avoid biting into hard foods or fingernails/ pencils.
- Don’t grind/clench your teeth; wear a bite guard at night.
- Avoid foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and blueberries as these can stain your veneers. Stop smoking.
- Use non-abrasive toothpaste.
We hope you must have got the answer to the question "are veneers permanent".
Veneers are a durable option so you can smile more and smile confidently. And while they’re not permanent, veneers are certainly a commitment.