If you have chipped, crooked, or discolored teeth that you want to fix without orthodontic treatment, then cosmetic treatments, like veneers, can be great options! Veneers are thin shells of porcelain — or another material — that are adhered to the anterior faces of teeth. With good care, veneers can last you a long time. Take a look at the different kinds of veneers that are available so that you can get a better idea of which type would suit your needs.
Snap-On Veneers
Snap-on veneers are made of a very thin laminate. Unlike other veneers which are permanent restorations, snap-on veneers can be taken off your teeth — similar to a mouth-guard. If you don't want to undergo the lengthy procedure of traditional veneers — where a portion of enamel is shaved down — then snap-on veneers could be a good option. If you have sensitive teeth and/or gum tissue, then snap-on veneers might be a better option as well since, again, a portion of enamel needs to be removed for traditional veneers.
The main downside of snap-on veneers is that they aren't as customized as other options, so they may not camouflage all the imperfections on your teeth. Snap-on veneers are much more affordable than other options, but the downside is that their laminate surfaces don't last as long as other materials.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are adhered directly to your enamel, so they are a good option for people who want permanent veneers. They do cost more than snap-on veneers, but they aren't as expensive as porcelain veneers. While they don't last as long as porcelain veneers, they do last longer than snap-on veneers, so if you want to spend a little more money, they can be worth it. The main downside of composite is that it can stain like enamel, so if you smoke, drink coffee, or have other habits that stain your teeth, you may want to go a different route.
Porcelain Veneers
With good care, porcelain veneers can last you over a decade. Porcelain veneers are high-quality restorations and people often gravitate to this choice because the porcelain looks realistic and has semi-translucent qualities similar to enamel. Like composite veneers, porcelain veneers are custom-fitted to each individual tooth after a dentist makes an impression of your teeth. The main downside of porcelain is that the material is much more expensive than other options. Porcelain veneers are usually a more viable option for people who want to correct one or two teeth rather than an entire arch. While these veneers do have more up-front costs, they do last longer so keep that in mind if you don't want to undergo multiple procedures with composite or snap-on veneers.
Reach out to a cosmetic dentist in your area for more information about dental veneers.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.