Porcelain Veneers: Procedure, Lifespan, Cost, and Pros & Cons

Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. It can convey confidence, warmth and approachability, or insecurity and self-consciousness. 

If you're unhappy with your teeth, porcelain veneers might be a solution worth considering. These thin shells are custom-made to cover the front surface of your teeth and improve their appearance.

But before you make a decision, it's important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this cosmetic dental procedure. ​

In this blog post, we'll explore how porcelain veneers can help achieve a perfect smile – and what to keep in mind as you consider this option for yourself!

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can be used to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. 

Veneers are an option for people who have stained, chipped, or crooked teeth, or gaps between their teeth.

Veneers are usually made from porcelain, but they can also be made from composite resin. Porcelain veneers are more durable and stain-resistant than composite veneers. However, they are also more expensive.

Veneers can last for many years with proper care. They are not reversible and may require some adjustment to get used to them. Veneers can also chip or break like natural teeth.

If you are considering porcelain veneers, consult with a dentist to see if they are right for you.

Porcelain Veneers Procedure

The porcelain veneers procedure involves several key steps to ensure a beautiful, custom smile. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

• Consultation: The first step is a consultation with your dentist to determine if porcelain veneers are the right solution for your dental concerns. During this appointment, you’ll discuss your goals, and the dentist will evaluate your teeth and oral health.

• Tooth Preparation: If veneers are the best option, your dentist will prepare your teeth by gently removing a small amount of tooth enamel. This creates a smooth surface for the veneers to adhere to and ensures a natural fit.

• Impressions: After preparing your teeth, the dentist will take impressions (molds) to create custom-made veneers that perfectly match the shape and size of your natural teeth.

• Temporary Veneers: While your custom veneers are being crafted (usually taking about two weeks), your dentist may fit you with temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth.

• Bonding the Veneers: Once your permanent veneers are ready, they will be bonded to your teeth using a special adhesive. The dentist will carefully position each veneer, ensuring a precise fit and natural appearance.

• Final Adjustments and Polishing: After bonding, any excess adhesive or material will be trimmed away. Finally, your new veneers will be polished to give them a natural, glossy finish, completing your new smile.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a highly sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatment that can transform your smile. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers are resistant to common stains from coffee, tea, and red wine. This means your smile stays bright and white for longer, even if you regularly consume these beverages.

• Durability: Porcelain veneers are strong and long-lasting. With proper care, they can last many years, offering both cosmetic and functional benefits.

• Versatile Correction: Veneers can address a wide range of dental imperfections. They can fix issues like chips, cracks, gaps between teeth, and misshapen teeth. Additionally, they can be used to enhance the overall appearance of your smile by altering the size, shape, and color of your teeth.

• Natural Appearance: Porcelain veneers are custom-made to look like natural teeth. They blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, providing a polished, natural-looking smile.

• Minimal Invasive Procedure: The process of applying veneers is relatively simple and minimally invasive compared to other cosmetic treatments, making it a popular choice for those seeking a quick smile makeover.

Drawbacks of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. They are thin shells of ceramic that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to change their colour, shape, size or length. 

Although they can give you a beautiful smile, there are also some drawbacks to porcelain veneers:

• Expensive: Porcelain veneers are one of the more expensive cosmetic dental procedures. The cost can range from INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per veneer. 

• Permanently altering your natural teeth: Once porcelain veneers are glued to your teeth, they cannot be removed without damaging your natural teeth. This means that if you decide you don’t like them or have any problems with them, you will need to have them replaced with new ones.​

• This means that if you decide you don’t like them or have any problems with them, you will need to have them replaced with new ones.

• Tooth sensitivity: Because porcelain veneers cover the entire front surface of your tooth, you may experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.

• Risk of chipping and cracking: Although porcelain veneers are very strong and durable, there is always a risk that they could chip or crack if you bite down on something hard or if you have an accident that causes trauma to your mouth.

Cost and Lifespan of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a great way to achieve a perfect smile. However, there are some drawbacks to consider before getting them. 

The cost of porcelain veneers can be high, ranging from NR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per veneer.

Additionally, they need to be updated every 5 to 10 years because they are not a long-term fix. 

Even though they are strong and long-lasting, they are not immune to damage and can sustain damage if improperly cared for.

Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers have a few substitutes, some of which can produce a comparable appearance. One method for improving the shape and colour of teeth is dental bonding. 

Bonding, on the other hand, wears out more quickly than veneers and may require more frequent replacement. Getting dental crowns, which function similarly to caps and completely encase the tooth, is another option. While crowns can be more expensive than veneers, they are also more durable.

Tips on Maintaining Your Veneers

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers are a common choice for those who want the perfect smile. 

There are several advantages to veneers, but there are also some disadvantages to take into account. 

Here are some tips on maintaining your veneers to help you make the most of them:

1. Brush and floss your teeth regularly

This will guard against staining and discolouration of your veneers as well as maintain the health of your natural teeth and gums.

2. Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects 

This can damage or break your veneers.

3. See your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings 

This will help ensure that your veneers are staying in good condition and will allow your dentist to catch any problems early on.

Conclusion

Porcelain veneers are a fantastic way to achieve the perfect smile you have always wanted. 

Although there is some upkeep involved, such as avoiding certain foods and consistently brushing your teeth, these measures are necessary for any kind of dental work. 

The benefits of porcelain veneers far outweigh the drawbacks, offering patients a long-term solution that can last up to 15 years with proper care. 

If you’re interested in learning more about this procedure or want to discuss it further with your dentist, make an appointment today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are placed on the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They are made of porcelain, which is a type of ceramic material that closely resembles natural tooth enamel in both texture and color.

2. Can porcelain veneers be reshaped?

Yes, porcelain veneers can be reshaped by a cosmetic dentist. However, this process can be difficult and may require the veneers to be completely removed and replaced with new ones.

3. Do porcelain veneers stain?

Despite porcelain veneers' strong stain resistance, if they are not properly maintained, they may nonetheless over time turn discolored. 

To keep the veneers clean, it's crucial to avoid drinking stains like coffee, tea, and red wine and to brush and floss frequently.

4. How long do porcelain veneers last?

Veneers made of porcelain may last between 10 and 20 years if they are properly maintained. The durability of the veneers, the dentist's expertise, and the patient's oral hygiene practises can all affect how long they last.

5. What are the prices of porcelain veneers?

The location of the dental office, the dentist's skill level, the quantity of veneers being placed, and the patient's insurance coverage are just a few of the many variables that might affect the price of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers typically cost between INR 8,000 and INR 15,000 per tooth.

6. How to whiten porcelain veneers?

Due to the porcelain material's resistance to bleaching agents, porcelain veneers cannot be whitened using conventional teeth whitening techniques. 

However, it is possible to get rid of surface stains and bring back the veneers' original brilliance using certain tools and methods.

7. What are porcelain veneers made of?

High-quality dental porcelain, a type of ceramic material that is very resistant to stains and has a natural-looking translucency that closely matches natural tooth enamel, is generally used to create porcelain veneers.

8. Why are porcelain veneers so expensive?

Because they are produced specifically for each patient and need a great level of skill and artistic ability to create, porcelain veneers are pricy. 

Additionally, the supplies and tools needed to make and install veneers are frequently fairly pricey.

9. How to remove porcelain veneers?

Removing porcelain veneers requires a skilled dentist to carefully break the bond between the veneer and the tooth using specialized tools.

Once the veneer is removed, the underlying tooth may be temporarily sensitive, and a new veneer or other type of restoration may need to be placed to protect the tooth.