According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), porcelain veneer procedures have increased by 250% in the last five years.
If you’re looking to improve your smile, increase your confidence, and look your best – veneers may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
However, before you go running to book an appointment with your dentist, there are several drawbacks to veneers you should be aware of.
Today we’re going to be going over the five most common veneer mistakes and how to avoid them. But first, let’s go over what veneers are and how they work.
What are Veneers?
Simply put, a veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that is bonded to the teeth to alter their shape, shade, or spacing.
When done properly, porcelain veneers can drastically improve the appearance of your smile. They can fix everything from:
- Misalignment
- Discoloration
- Gaps
- Chips
- Tooth decay
In addition, porcelain veneers never lose their color. Thus, your new pearly whites will shine bright forever! It’s no surprise that veneers are one of the most commonly sought-after dental services.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the benefits of veneers and how they work, let’s go over the most common mistakes people make when getting them.
1. Not Getting the Proper Number of Veneers
One of the most common mistakes is getting an inappropriate number of veneers says this dependable emergency dentist Las Vegas.
When getting veneers, it’s usually advised that you get them on all of your most visible teeth. This will create a more natural and cohesive appearance.
Getting a single veneer may result in the veneer not matching the rest of your teeth due to coloration or alignment issues.
Of course, this will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some people may benefit from only four veneers while others may need ten veneers. Your dentist will be able to guide you in the right direction.
2. Unnatural Appearance
Another common mistake is getting veneers that are too white.
Of course, you want the brightest smile possible. However, veneers that are too white can provide an unnatural appearance.
This is another reason why getting veneers on all of your front teeth is usually the optimal choice. On some occasions, people will only get veneers on their top teeth and this will result in the top teeth looking much whiter than the natural bottom teeth.
3. Using an Inexperienced Dentist
It’s a common misconception that any dentist is capable of installing veneers. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Creating a perfect smile through veneers is a work of art. It requires a high level of skill and attention to detail.
Everything from intricate shaping, color gradation, and overall symmetry is imperative in the procedure process.
Beyond cosmetic factors, the bonding process also requires a high level of skill. Without proper bonding, the veneers could chip, crack, or break off.
Unfortunately, these issues are far too common. It’s best to seek a professional dentist that is highly experienced and has a long history of installing veneers. You can ensure your dentist is capable of doing the job by doing online research, checking reviews, and talking to the dentist in question.
4. Infections
Unfortunately, whether you have veneers or not, root canal infections can lead to complications with your veneers.
Root canal infections happen when bacteria intrude into the dental pulp of the tooth. They can be caused by certain diseases, bad dental hygiene, tooth decay, and injuries. This will lead to severe pain and the infection can spread throughout the mouth.
Unfortunately, when you have veneers and an infection occurs, they will likely have to be removed. This can be a costly and complicated process.
5. Improper Tooth Preparation
Prior to applying veneers, your dentist will typically need to prepare the teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel. This will ensure the veneers properly bond to the teeth.
However, it’s not uncommon for the dentist to remove too little of the tooth enamel. This can lead to the veneers not properly bonding to the teeth. This can affect the lifetime of the veneers.
On the other hand, if the dentist removes too much of the tooth enamel during the preparation process, it can lead to pain and sensitivity issues later on. This can also result in the veneers failing.
What are the Most Common Veneer Mistakes?
Although veneers offer a variety of benefits – they also have their downfalls.
Some of the most common veneer mistakes include getting an inappropriate number of veneers, getting veneers that are overly white, not using an experienced cosmetic dentist, infections, and improper preparation.
Prior to making a decision, it’s important to talk to your dentist about the pros and cons of veneers. They can help you make an informed decision.
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