This is a question I get asked most often by patients looking into cosmetic dentistry and it’s not an easy one to answer. On the one hand, veneers can be truly amazing, transforming someone’s smile and confidence. On the other hand, they’re a big investment and once you go down this path, there’s no going back. The success of veneers really depends on a few key factors: picking the right patient, managing expectations, and how well the dentist does the job.
What Are Veneers?
Dental Veneers are basically thin shells of material stuck onto the front of your teeth. The American Dental Association describes them as a “long-term cosmetic solution” that can correct all sorts of dental issues (7). They come in two main types: porcelain or composite resin and are held in place with dental cement (7). Depending on what you choose, the process is a bit different. Porcelain veneers take two trips to the dentist: one to prepare and get a temporary veneer in, another a couple of weeks later when the new ones get placed on (2). Composite veneers on the other hand, are usually a one-and-done deal, where the dentist just layers on some resin and cures it with a special light (2).
When you get your teeth prepped that involves chipping off about half a millimetre of enamel (5). Once that’s gone, it can’t be put back. You can still get veneers replaced, but now you’re stuck with some sort of restoration on that tooth for the rest of your life (6).
What’s Good About Dental Veneers?
From a purely clinical perspective, veneers are pretty great when used for the right people.
They fix cosmetic problems at once. Veneers can cover up staining that won’t budge no matter how hard you try to bleach it, close gaps between teeth, make your teeth look straighter, and fix chipped or worn enamel (1). And because of all this, you can get your whole smile sorted in just a few weeks rather than doing loads of separate treatments over months.
They look natural. If you get high-quality porcelain veneers, they can look pretty much like real teeth. Some patients have even reported feeling a whole lot more confident in their professional and social lives after they got veneers (6).
They last a long time. According to Healthline research, porcelain veneers can last for years, 89% of them are still going strong at the nine year mark (7), and some studies even say they can go up to 95% after a decade (5). And if you take care of them properly, some veneers can last for 15 to 20 years (3). That’s a really good investment.
They don’t stain. The material used for veneers resists stains from all the things that usually make our teeth look yellow – coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco (9). So, you can still enjoy your favourite foods and drinks without worrying about your veneers getting all stained.
What Are the Downsides of Dental Veneers?
Despite all the good things veneers can do, there are a few big caveats you need to consider.
They’re not cheap. A new smile can run you anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000. And, unfortunately, most dental insurance doesn’t cover veneers because they’re considered cosmetic. (5)
You can’t go back. Once you get your teeth prepped for veneers, there’s no going back (7). You’ll be stuck with some sort of restoration on that tooth for the rest of your life (6). Even if you decide you don’t like your veneers years down the line, you can’t just swap back to your old teeth – you’ll have to replace them with new veneers or crowns.
You might get some sensitivity. After getting veneers, a lot of people experience some sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. This usually sorts itself out in a few weeks, but some people might be stuck with it for longer. And, of course, if you grind your teeth, you’re at a higher risk of chipping your veneers (1).
They can chip. After a while, about 4% of veneers will crack (7). If that happens, you’ll need to get a whole new one (6). So, if you do end up grinding your teeth, you’ll need to get a night guard to keep them safe.
Cosmetic over Correction. Veneers aren’t about fixing the root of a problem, they’re about making your teeth look better without addressing any structural or functional issues. They don’t actually straighten your teeth, they just make them look that way. Patients with really badly overcrowded teeth might find veneers don’t last long or look unnatural because of the abnormal way their teeth fit together. Plus you can’t put veneers on a tooth that’s got active cavities or gum disease until those get sorted (4).
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Getting the right person for veneers is crucial for a good outcome. You want people whose teeth are in decent shape but who just aren’t happy with the way their smile looks.
Some key things they’ll need: no active dental problems, healthy gums and no signs of gum disease (4). Any issues like that need sorting before the veneers go on. You also need enough enamel to bond the veneers to, which is why people with really worn down teeth might be better off with crowns instead (4). And you don’t put veneers on people who are just looking to fix a pain issue or a serious problem that needs fixing with something a bit more heavy-duty.
Veneers work well for minor stuff like whitening teeth, fixing small chips, or making really small teeth look a bit bigger (4). But if you’re looking to fix a big problem like a serious crook or pain then veneers aren’t going to be the answer – you’ll be better off with a proper orthodontist (4).
Some people shouldn’t get veneers: people with really bad bruxism who aren’t going to wear a protective mouthguard, people with untreated gum disease, those with really bad tooth wear and those who are just not sure about changing their teeth for good (4, 6).
Costs Breakdown
Porcelain veneers can cost anywhere between $925 and $2,500 per tooth, composite are cheaper, with a cost between $250 to $1,500. If you live in a big city like New York, you can expect to pay a lot more than if you live in a smaller city like Fort Lauderdale. (5)
You’ll also pay more for someone with lots of experience and great results. While most dentists will offer you a payment plan or financing options (5), insurance generally won’t pay out for veneers.
Alternatives to Veneers
There are some alternatives worth considering. For example orthodontics, either the metal kind or the clear kind. It takes a bit longer but it’s better for your teeth in the long run.
If it’s just your teeth that look a bit yellow then a professional whitening might do the trick. If it’s just one tooth that’s a problem then you could try a composite filling (5). And if a tooth is really badly damaged then a crown might be the better option and insurance might actually cover it (4).
Questions People Ask
How long do veneers last?
They can last anywhere between 10 and 15 years on average (3) but it really depends on how well you look after them.
Will I get a natural look?
The answer to that is yes, if you go to someone who knows what they’re doing (6).
Do veneers damage my teeth?
Yes, veneers do need a bit of your natural enamel to be taken away (7), but if it’s done properly and on healthy teeth, it should be okay.
Can veneers fix crooked teeth?
They can sort out minor issues but if your teeth are really badly out of line then veneers won’t work and you need to get an orthodontist in (4).
Will insurance cover veneers?
Unlikely. They set veneers as a cosmetic treatment (5) and only sometimes cover it if it’s been damaged in an accident (8).
Conclusion
Veneers are often a worthwhile investment for the right people. Those with healthy teeth who are after a complete makeover and are aware that it is going to cost and is not a temporary fix, tend to be really happy with the result. The numbers back this up, with 78-88% of people saying they’re really pleased (6, 9).
But veneers aren’t the answer for everyone. If you’ve got some pretty major alignment issues going on, or if you’ve got ongoing dental problems, or if there’s something else that can be fixed without getting cosmetic dentistry involved then you’re probably better off looking at something different first. And even then, getting an honest assessment from a dentist in Fort Lauderdale who can give you a straight-up verdict on what makes sense for you is key to making the right choice.
When you’re looking into getting veneers, finding the right provider is super important. Take a look at some examples of their work, make sure they explain all the different options to you and are upfront with you about what you can expect. And be realistic – porcelain veneers are one of those treatments where the results are pretty reliable, but only if you match the right patient profile and the treatment is done right, not because veneers work in general, they do for a lot of people, but not for everyone.
References:
- Dental Veneers: Pros And Cons | Colgate®
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/veneers/dental-veneers-pros-and-cons - Composite Veneers: Cost, Benefits, and Longevity | Aspen Dental
https://www.aspendental.com/patient-resources/composite-veneers/ - How Long Do Veneers Last? Porcelain and Composite Veneers | Healthline
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-veneers-last - Who Should Not Get Veneers? Candidacy, Limitations & Alternatives | Smoke Rise Dental
https://smokerisedental.com/blog/who-should-not-get-veneers/ - The Price of Perfection: Understanding Porcelain Veneer Costs | Champaign Dental Group
https://www.champaignentalgroup.org/about-us/blog-articles/porcelain-veneer-cost - Porcelain Veneers: The Ultimate Guide | RealSelf
https://www.realself.com/nonsurgical/porcelain-veneers - Materials for Indirect Restorations | American Dental Association (ADA)
https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/materials-for-indirect-restorations - How Much Do Veneers Cost With Insurance? | St. Louis County Dental
https://www.stlouiscosmeticdentist.com/blog/how-much-do-veneers-cost-with-insuranc - Porcelain Veneers Are Rocking an 80%+ Worth It Rating on RealSelf | Facebook / RealSelf https://www.facebook.com/RealSelf/posts/porcelain-veneers-are-rocking-an-80-worth-it-rating-on-realself/1636453147033071/
