Dentist Reveals Why You Should Not Get Veneers

1. Cost

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Veneers are known to be extremely expensive which is why so many people jump in a flight to travel abroad for them. They're typically $1,000 per tooth. Yes, you read that correctly, PER TOOTH. This is a pricey procedure so you really need to be sure before you go ahead and book in.

2. Irreversible process

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Veneers aren't like acrylic nails, you can't just take them out when you get sick of them. The process of getting veneers involves removing a small portion of the natural tooth enamel, which is irreversible. Once they're applied, there's really no going back!

3. Sensitivity

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Some individuals may experience increased tooth sensitivity after getting veneers, especially during the initial adjustment period. After having the veneers applied you will experience sensitivity for up to a week. Most people can carry on day to day as normal with painkillers, others have to take time off work. Everyone is different.

4. Maintenance

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Veneers require regular maintenance and care to ensure their longevity, including proper oral hygiene and avoiding certain habits or foods that can damage them. If you're someone who suffer with dental issues, make sure to go to a dentist that does a thorough check beforehand.

5. Potential chipping

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Porcelain - which is very thin and fragile - means veneers easily damaged.  If you bite down too hard on a piece of food or chip your tooth on the side of a wine glass then you'll find your veneer is easily broken. Once you damage your veneer, you can't fix it, you'll need to entirely replace it.

6. Potential cracking

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Just like chipping your veneers, cracking them is also a potential risk when you have your teeth done. They're so easily damaged that sometimes people don't even realise they've cracked their veneers until they catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror.

7. Replacement needed

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Veneers have a lifespan and may need to be replaced at some point in the future, which can incur additional costs. If you crack or chip your veneer which is a really easy thing to do, you would need to get your veneer completely replaced - they can't just be 'fixed'.

8. Potential discoloration

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Veneers are stain-resistant, but over time, they may still be susceptible to discoloration, requiring professional cleaning or polishing. People who drink a lot of coffee or smoke shouldn't waste their money on veneers, unless they're willing to get them replaced regularly.

9. Gum irritation

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In some cases, the placement of veneers may cause temporary gum irritation or sensitivity. Anybody with sensitive gums or teeth may suffer with issues once they've had their veneers applied. Gum irritation will only get worse if not checked out by a dentist.

10. They're not suitable for everyone

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Veneers may not be suitable for individuals with certain dental conditions or structural issues, and alternative treatments may be more appropriate. If veneers are placed over an infection tooth or gum, then this could cause huge and expensive problems down the line.

11. A lot of cheaper/dodgy dental work out there

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Just like anything expensive out there, you're always going to find places that offer a cheaper option. Many Brits travel over to Turkey to get their teeth done, many Americans travel to other states for cheaper. But the downside to this, is that if something isn't done correctly or if anything goes wrong, you're far from home.

12. Regular dental checks needed

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Once veneers are placed, regular dental visits are necessary to monitor their condition and ensure oral health. Many people think that once the veneers have been placed that they don't need to go to the dentist much anymore, but it's quite the opposite.

13. Irreversible tooth preparation

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In order to get your teeth prepped to apply the veneers, your dentist will have to remove an awful lot of enamel from the surface of your teeth. The process is irreversible which means you no longer have any enamel - it's all gone for good.

14. Fake and unnatural

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One of the biggest complaints about veneers is that they look too fake and unnatural. If you're after getting your teeth done, then you really need to research and work out exactly what you want done. It can be difficult to get your veneers to resemble a natural tooth color.

15. Disease and infection

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Good dentists should always conduct a thorough exam including x-rays before applying veneers. The examination is crucial to make sure you don't have any underlying disease or infection. Applying veneers to teeth that are decaying or suffering from gum infections is never a good idea.

16. They're not invulnerable

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Veneers are permanent yes, but it doesn't mean that you will never experience issues with your teeth again. Veneers can last for years, but if you have any bad habits, it might shorten the lifespan of them. Bruxism or teeth grinding and clenching can be awful for your veneers.

17. The sheer discomfort

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Anything to do with the dentist sends shivers down many of our spines, so it comes as no surprise that the process of getting veneers is quite uncomfortable. Dentists should be fully trained, experienced and committed to doing the work properly and if you're not, you'll find yourself in a sticky situation.

18. The painful process

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Dentists use local anaesthetic to numb your mouth during the procedure. People notice a bit of soreness and sensitivity over the following few days but most of the time the pain can be controlled with pain killers. However, some patients do end up with severe pain.

19. The cosmetic outcome may not be what you expected

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It's like when you go to the hairdressers, show them a picture of your favorite celebrity haircut and expect to look exactly like that. It's the same when it comes to your mouth, you may have an idea of how you would like your teeth to look and you'll get something completely different.

20. Losing too much tooth mass

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When the dentist preps your tooth by removing the enamel, this could result in losing too much tooth mass. Some dentists end up removing too much of the tooth which can lead to severe tooth sensitivity and other quite annoying problems down the road.

21. Expense from bad habits

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If you're one of those people who grinds your teeth in your sleep, then you'll find that you lose years off the life of your veneers. Good dentists should always look into the history of your tooth health before applying veneers to make sure you have good teeth health.

22. But what are veneer alternatives?

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If you decide you want to change the look of your teeth, if they're not white enough, straight enough or just up to your standards veneers might not be the route to go down. But what else can you do to give your mouth a bit of an upgrade? There are so many less permanent options...

23. Teeth whitening/polishing

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Whitening or bleaching is one of the most popular and effective ways to drastically alter your teeth and the way they look. You can get your teeth whitened at the dentist or at home using either bleach or whitening strips. But also consult your dentist first.

24. Composite bonding

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Composite bonding is considered as one of the cheaper alternatives to veneers and serves as basically the same purpose. Bonding is the perfect treatment for people who don't have the money for veneers - it's basically an effective way of hiding dental issues like marks, cracks or visible gaps.

25. Omnichrome

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Omnichrome is a cheaper alternative to veneers but there are a limited amount of color tones. Omnichrome was developed by a Japanese company and instead of filing the tooth down, it can just be attached to the teeth - in just one universal shade. This can be such a better option for some people.

26. Aligners

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Aligners serve the same purpose as veneers and are customized to shape perfectly around your teeth. They are used to correct and fix unwanted gaps or crooked teeth. However, aligners do take up to around 6 months to correct different dental issues. It's good to try and fix what you have before you turn to veneers.

27. Dental crowns

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Dental crowns are protective caps that are used to restore damage and cracked tooth structure, particularly when there is tooth decay. They are cheaper that veneers and are perfect for if you're suffering with insufficient tooth enamel or teeth grinding.

28. Before you decide on which route to go down...

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Before you decide on veneers or an alternative, you should first consider your budget and the longevity of the treatment. Will you end up having to spend more money on the work that expected? Will you achieve the look you really want? Everyone's situation is different, so do what's best for YOU!

29. The upkeep...

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If whitening your teeth is the route you wish to go down, just remember the continuous upkeep. If that's something that will not bother you then this could be the easy and simple solution for you. For bigger and darker stains, make sure you visit your dentist for whitening.

30. Trust your dentist

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Make sure your dentist is legit and can reach your needs and preferences and make sure they're thorough and give you all of the information that you need before you decide one which procedure to go for. Veneers are permanent remember so there's no going back!