Here are the top 3 types of dental veneers and what dentists recommend

A dental veneer is a type of cosmetic procedure that is used to mask dental irregularities such as misaligned, discolored, crooked, different-sized, or chipped teeth. It corrects or improves the shape, color, size, and appearance of natural teeth. Dental veneers are made of tooth-colored shells that are placed over crooked teeth. They are also known as a smile makeover, as they rectify and enhance a smile. 

Veneers are commonly fixed over front teeth and rarely over back molars. While they can improve the appearance of teeth, they cannot replace missing teeth. 

Following are the three most common types of dental veneers that are recommended by dentists. 

Types of Dental Veneers

1. Porcelain Veneers

• Porcelain veneers are one of the most common types of veneers used for dental restorations. They are naturally colored, esthetically pleasing, and are not harmful to teeth. Porcelain is a highly biocompatible material and it gels in well with gum tissues and adjacent soft tissues in the mouth, without disturbing the oral microbiome. Porcelain veneers are a permanent fix and cannot be taken off after being placed inside the mouth. The teeth need to be shaved quite a bit before porcelain veneers are placed on them.  

Porcelain veneers offer the following pros and cons:

Pros

• Natural-looking and blend in with the adjacent teeth
• Resistant to stains
• Durable and damage-resistant. They don’t fracture, break or chip easily. 
• Smooth and natural-looking texture. 
• Little probability of developing plaque

Cons

• They are quite expensive with each veneer ranging from $900 to $2500 per tooth
• Require shaving of the tooth, hence invasive. 

2. Composite Veneers

• These veneers are made from a combination of organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials used for making composite veneers include the initiator, resin, and coupling agent, whereas the primary inorganic material for composite veneers is the filler. The bonding material used for composite veneers is the same as that used for tooth-colored dental fillings. As a result, composite veneers blend in well with natural teeth and are difficult to distinguish. 

Like porcelain veneers, composite veneers also require tooth shaving before placing them and they are a permanent fix. They have the following pros and cons:

Pros

• Strong and durable – one set of veneers will last between 5 to 7 years
• Less invasive compared to porcelain veneers
• Biocompatible 
• Can be repaired easily if some minor damage occurs
• Can be fixed in a single visit. No need for temporary restorations. 
• Less expensive than porcelain. A single veneer costs between $250 to $1500 per tooth. 

Cons

• They stain easily
• Lengthy placement procedure

3. Lumineers

• Lumineers is a popular brand of dental veneers. They are composed of very fine porcelain laminate material. The good thing about getting lumineers is that they are minimally invasive and not a lot of enamel has to be removed before placing them over your teeth. Lumineers are used to rectify discolored and out-of-shape teeth. They have a natural appearance and texture.

Lumineers offer the following pros and cons:

Pros

• They are not permanent and can be removed
• Require less tooth preparation before placing on teeth
• Cost less than porcelain veneers i.e. $800 to $2,000 per tooth

Cons

• Less durable than other veneers
• Can be damaged due to fracture and injury

For more information on dental veneers, contact Icon Dental Center. We provide multiple smile restoration services such as placement of veneers, bridges, crowns, dentures, and teeth whitening. We are located in Everett and Seattle. Call us at 206-255-2882.