Are Veneers Right for You?
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For anyone looking to improve the appearance of their teeth, veneers are certainly an option worth thinking about. Veneers are custom-made from specialist dental materials, designed to sit over the surface of your natural teeth.
Veneers offer a variety of enticing benefits that mean more patients are now seeking veneers than ever before. They’re ideal for correcting a range of both aesthetic and functional dental issues.
Here’s our guide to veneers, and whether they’re right for you.
Veneers are primarily considered for their aesthetic benefits, offering patients a confidence boost as their new smiles uplift their appearance. It’s difficult to overstate just how much our teeth can impact our appearance and the way we feel about ourselves – teeth are a key element when it comes to almost every aspect of our daily lives.
Whether we’re eating, drinking, talking, smiling, or expressing emotion; our teeth are involved, and often on display. When we feel uncomfortable about the way they look, this can have an unexpectedly severe impact on the way we interact with others.
Veneers are often used to cover discoloured teeth. With some dental conditions, or the use of certain medications and medical treatments, teeth discolouration is difficult to correct. Veneers provide an effective way to uplift the appearance of discoloured teeth.
There are a range of factors that can cause gaps between teeth, many of which are entirely normal. The specific name we use to describe gaps between teeth is ‘diastema’. Many people have a diastema between their two front teeth – some more noticeable than others.
In childhood and teenage years, gaps frequently appear as the result of teeth shifting as adult teeth begin to settle into place. Often, these late-childhood gaps will close naturally as additional adult teeth grow through. Sometimes, gaps remain. Genetics play a role in determining whether you have a gap between your teeth, while jaw size and structure also have an influence.
Getting veneers to close gaps between teeth is often done for aesthetic reasons, but it can also enhance dental and oral health. Gaps in teeth are prone to bacterial build-up and may require more cleaning around hard-to-reach areas. Closing these gaps reduces the amount of space for bacteria to grow, helping to prevent tooth decay and maintaining your oral health.
The functional benefits of veneers are often overlooked. For those with misaligned or misshapen teeth, veneers can drastically alter (and improve!) the way their bite falls.
If you’re considering veneers, there are two main options to consider. Composite veneers or porcelain veneers. Below, we have summarised each element you should consider when deciding whether veneers are right for you.
| Porcelain Veneers | Composite Veneers | |
| Cost | From £850.00 per tooth. Higher cost, due to the expensive porcelain material and lab work required. | From £380.00 per tooth. Less expensive. The resin material is cheaper than porcelain. |
| Aesthetics | High quality, realistic looking. Porcelain is semi-translucent, just like real teeth. | Composite resin is not translucent, offering less of a realistic appearance. |
| Quality | Porcelain veneers are highly durable and last up to 15 years with care. | Not as durable as porcelain. Composite resin is around 5% weaker, so is more likely to chip. They last 5 – 7 years with adequate care. |
| Length of Procedure | Involves a longer process than composite veneers, as the shaping of the porcelain is not completed in one appointment. | Composite veneers are completed in one sitting. The veneers are shaped to the teeth in the dental surgery. |
| Invasiveness | More invasive – requires the removal of some enamel (the outermost surface of the tooth). | Non-invasive – composite veneers do not require removal of enamel. |
| Maintenance | Stronger than composite veneers. Less concerns regarding dietary adaptations. | May need to be replaced and examined more frequently. Take care with hard foods due to the risk of chipping. |
| Process of Procedure | After an examination of your dental health, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth. These are sent to a specialist lab, where your veneers will be created and tailor-made to the shape of your teeth. Once complete, they are bonded to your teeth at the dentist. | Once your dentist has checked your dental health over, composite veneers are completed in just one convenient appointment. The composite material will be colour-matched to your teeth, then expertly applied and shaped to achieve the desired look. |
Veneers aren’t for everyone. While they may be positively life-changing for one client, another may find there’s a better option. Veneers might not be right for you if you have:
If you have any signs of gum disease, your dentist will likely not recommend veneers. If you have early gum disease (gingivitis), you should focus on reversing this and restoring the health of your teeth before considering veneers.
If you grind your teeth while sleeping, veneers may not be for you. They will likely wear down and chip much faster, requiring additional replacements.
Dental hygiene remains a top priority, even if you have veneers. Keeping your gums healthy helps support the veneers, and maintaining oral hygiene is key to managing this.
Composite bonding is a more affordable alternative to veneers and uses the same resin material as composite veneers. With pricing from £250.00 per tooth, composite bonding is an effective way to enhance your teeth with minor adjustments.
If you’re unsure about whether veneers are for you, or you need some help deciding which type of veneers to go for, book a consultation with us at Ringway Dental today.
Specialising in cosmetic dental treatments and procedures, our experienced team are committed to helping our clients smile with confidence. Call us on 0161 437 2029 to get started.
