Veneers are one of the most popular procedures for cosmetic dentistry today. They are a great way to improve the look of your teeth. Some of the different reasons people may get veneers are to repair broken, cracked, chipped, or stained teeth. The material used to create veneers are composite-resin or porcelain that imitate the look of natural teeth. Porcelain veneers last about eight to ten years, while composite veneers last for about three to five. Composite veneers are cheaper than porcelain ones. These thin shells are crafted to be placed on the front of the tooth. They are permanently bonded to complete the procedure following this. Some may get multiple veneers to design the smile of their dreams, while others may just have one tooth they will place a veneer on.
This leads many to wonder, do I have to shave down my teeth to get veneers?
Veneers: The Reality
It is normal to see pictures on the Internet of people prior to getting veneers with slightly shaved down teeth. But in reality, it is not necessary to take off more than a small amount of the enamel on the tooth’s surface. Many people have reported shaving their teeth down to what look like pegs, but these are not for veneers. These are actually preparation for crowns being marketed as veneers. This is being offered by some as a ‘cheaper, better and faster’ alternative to traditional veneers. However, they can have harmful effects on the teeth in the long run. They are being prepared this way because the patient’s teeth would not have to be aligned. As opposed to traditional veneer placements, in order for the procedure to be minimally invasive, misalignment of the teeth would need to be corrected.
It is dangerous to shave down the teeth especially when young, because it shortens the lifespan of the tooth and increases the chances of issues in the future. Placing crowns removes about 60% of the tooth leaving your teeth at risk of breaking in the future. It has been found that 1 in 4 teeth that have a crown placed on them will need a root canal in the future. After having a root canal done, a post would be needed to keep the crown in place. This usually occurs before the tooth will most likely have to be taken out. The pulp of the tooth contains tissue, blood and nerves that are normally larger in younger people raises the chances for nerve damage contributing to this removal.
Veneers: For Your Information
Before having any veneer cosmetic procedure done, first consult with your dental professional. Ask questions and ensure that what you seek to be done is the best solution for you based on your needs. It is important to be well informed going into any procedure, especially if something is going to be done to the teeth you currently have. Be clear on all the options you have as far as treatment, as well as pricing. The cost of treatment reflects the level of skill of the dental professional and time dedicated to the treatment. The lab creating the veneers (or crowns) is also a factor in the pricing.
If you are interested in designing your smile and curious about your options, visit us at Dental Made Easy. We offer free cosmetic dental consultations!
Your Dental Health
When it comes to your health, trust in the dentists at Dental Made Easy. Dental Made Easy has the best dental practices in New York City and we are open on Sundays as well as late evenings. All of our dental offices are open and accepting new patients at this time. We are rated among the top dental practices in New York, NY with numerous 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. For a teeth cleaning or exam, we recommend calling or booking an appointment online with one of our talented dental professionals. All new patients may also take advantage of our $149 Cleaning Special that includes an exam and x-rays of our Free Dental Implant Consultation Special.
To set up your appointment give us a call at (844) 979-EASY (3279). We have offices in Forest Hills, Queens, Little Caribbean, Brooklyn and Garden City, Long Island. Walk-ins welcomed, we take emergencies and we are open on late nights to accommodate patients with a busy schedule. We hope to see you soon!
