''The smile is undoubtedly the most remarkable feature of any human being. Thankfully, dentist can improve your dental appeal with veneers.''
People are beginning to understand that appearance matters, and improving your appearance is more of an investment than just fashion. Thousands of people experience dental trauma every day, leaving their teeth with defects and dental injuries. Often, these defects affect self-esteem and lower their confidence to smile.
Dental veneers are a good treatment option to correct the physical and aesthetic problems associated with your teeth. This procedure could be expensive in many countries. However, dental veneers in Turkey are the most affordable, quality-oriented, and durable options dental tourists can ever explore.
What are Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells that are custom-made from porcelain or resin composite material and professionally installed to conceal certain defects in the teeth.
The common defects that dental veneers are mostly used to conceal are chipped, discolored, broken, or uneven teeth. Sometimes, veneers are installed to introduce some symmetrical arrangement to the teeth and give them a flawless appearance.
Dental veneers are somewhat permanently affixed to the teeth. These are mostly fixed onto the most visible front teeth. However, dental veneers remain functional only for a few years and do not last for a lifetime.
Types of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers can be categorized into different types in different ways.
Based on the installation procedures:
Prep Dental Veneers
This type of veneer requires a complex procedure that may irreversibly affect the teeth’s structure afterward.
Traditional dental veneers are installed by having some part of the tooth removed. Patient may experience little discomfort and may be given local anesthetic during the procedure.
These veneers are highly aesthetic and instill more natural appearance.
Non-prep Dental Veneers
This type of veneer requires a complex procedure that may irreversibly affect the teeth’s structure afterward.
Traditional dental veneers are installed by having some part of the tooth removed.
Patient may experience little discomfort and may be given local anesthetic during the procedure. These veneers are highly aesthetic and instill more natural appearance.
Based on the type of materials used:
Porcelain Dental Veneers
Porcelain can be used in the fabrication of both prep and no prep dental veneers.
Of all the types of veneers, porcelain veneers appear to be the most expensive, largely due to the procedure and the technology involved. The dentist would have to mold the teeth or scan the teeth through the CAD-CAM technology to have your teeth molded right from the computer.
While the dentist explores the mold options, temporary veneers might have to be installed on your teeth till the time permanent porcelain molded veneers are fixed. These veneers are strong, durable, and resistant to staining. They also give a natural appearance.
Composite Dental Veneers
These veneers are cheaper alternatives to porcelain veneers. They are made from tooth-colored resin composite. Dentists sometimes undergo the same procedure as casting veneers with resin composite.
The process may require full-time preparation similar to getting porcelain veneers fixed.
The dentist may require a model of your teeth in wax and then fill it up with resin composite to have final veneers.
However, resin composite veneers are more susceptible to staining, and they are not overall as durable as porcelain ones.
Also, the overall outcome of any composite dental veneers will depend largely on the dentist’s skills.
Zirconia Dental Veneers
Replacing porcelain veneers rapidly, zirconia dental veneers are the new talk of the town amongst dental tourists.
Zirconia veneers are essentially ceramic as they are made from zirconia oxide, and they have exceptional strength that wouldn’t make them fracture or chip easily.
Their installation method is different from that of porcelain veneers in terms of materials used, but they are stronger and acid-resistant when installed.
However, in terms of teeth preparation, etching, and removal, the procedure is quite similar to that of a porcelain veneer.
Dental Veneers Pros and Cons
Many people opt for dental veneers to boost their teeth’s overall appeal, bringing more self-confidence. However, veneers aren’t without their disadvantages, either, some of which we have critically examined below.
Pros of Dental Veneers
1. Symmetrical Teeth Arrangement
When the teeth get chipped, broken, or fractured, they lose their natural symmetric arrangement.
This asymmetrical look can be corrected using veneers.
Sometimes, it can even correct natural defects such as spacing or misaligned teeth. Dental veneers instill a symmetrical perfection in teeth that makes them look flawless.
Dental veneers performed by a highly skilled dentist can appear natural just like real teeth.
2.Spotless White Teeth
You may go for teeth whitening for as long as you want, but for brilliant and flawless white dental teeth arrangement, nothing does it better than having dental veneers installed on your teeth. Some types of veneers, especially zirconia dental veneers, are even resistant to staining. Besides, you can ask your dentist to install veneers that have the same appearance as your natural teeth color.
3.Perfect Replacement for Tooth Enamel
Although our natural teeth are incredibly strong, they are not indestructible. Sometimes, the tooth enamel is compromised due to decay, tooth erosions, mineralization defects during tooth development, or health related complications.
In such cases, dental veneers are wonderful alternatives to protect the enamel without robbing the teeth of their natural color and appeal.
4.Instant Results
Unlike most other dental procedures, dental braces, for instance, where you have to wait for a long time before you see results, dental veneers give an instant result on the spot after installation.
You may still have to wait for a day or five to have it properly installed, but in most cases, it requires only two dental visits to complete the procedure.
Cons of Dental Veneers
1.It is Expensive
The dental veneer procedure is quite an expensive dental restoration option.
It doesn’t come cheap in most cases, and even an average income earner might still not be able to afford cheaper alternatives.
In most cases, you may still have to return to have the procedure all over again after a few years, as dental veneers do not have a lifelong span.
2.It Leaves an Irreversible Effect
For dental veneers to be effectively installed, a small amount of enamel layer is removed.
This makes the veneer appear more natural and avoids the bulky appearance of your teeth.
However, the enamel layer doesn’t grow back once removed. That means you may have to be on veneers for the rest of your life or consider other dental alternatives.
3.It Increases Tooth Sensitivity
Right after the installation, it is common for the patient to feel a little discomfort, which is often reduced by applying a local anesthetic.
However, over time, the patient may complain of sensitivity that could be quite uncomfortable and alter their lifestyle.
The degree of sensitivity varies from patient to patient and with the type of veneer used. Some patients end up not experiencing it at all.
4.Veneers Can Get Damaged Too
While many types of veneers have varying degrees of resistance to damage and stains, ultimately, they can still get damaged. Biting into very hard substances may cause a chip or a crack in the veneer, necessitating a remake of the veneer.
Since you already know how expensive the procedure could be, this could incur unnecessary costs.
It will also reduce the lifespan of the veneer. This is why most people opt for zirconia dental veneers, as they offer reinforced resistance to cracks and stains compared to most other veneer types.
5.Purely Cosmetic
Veneers are cosmetic because they are not meant to protect or help the teeth grow back any damaged parts. However, they are meant to improve the overall aesthetics. The fancy alignment of teeth using veneers isn’t a lifelong or permanent treatment option.
Dental veneers have a shorter lifespan than other dental procedures like dental crowns and bridge installations.
This doesn’t make veneers a less desirable dental option for you, but you have to consider if you are equipped with the maintenance liability that dental veneers might subject you to in the long run.
Dental Crowns Versus Dental Veneers
These two dental restoration procedures serve different purposes. Dental veneers are more cosmetic in application because they only cover the front surfaces of the teeth.
Therefore, the dental veneer procedure is less complicated, and you can finish the installation in about two dental visits.
Furthermore, dental veneers are thinner, often about one-millimeter thinner than a dental crown.
On the other hand, dental crowns are very invasive as their application procedure is quite intense and may require removal of a larger chunk of the teeth before the installation can be properly done.
Also, dental crowns cover the entire tooth area. They enclose the teeth and offer fuller protection than the dental veneer. Dental crowns are also often thicker than dental veneers.
A dental consultation with your dentist will help you decide whether crowns or veneers are the best option for your dental restoration.
However, crowns are most likely going to be recommended if your teeth are largely worn, or if there are very large teeth cavities that a cosmetic lift wouldn’t be able to resolve the underlying health implications.
Dental Veneer Cost
For most people, the cost of having a veneer fixed is a deterring factor. Who doesn’t want a flawless smile?
However, there is a general perception that a dental veneer is not for you unless you have impressive health insurance or you are rich.
This perception is more common in countries where health and dental care are expensive.
For people from these places, dental veneers cost around $12000 to $40000 in U.S. dollars, with the procedure type and the number of teeth covered.
Also, the type of veneer you choose will determine the cost. For instance, porcelain veneer for each tooth may cost between $1000 and $5000, which is expensive compared to the $300 to $500 per tooth of composite resin veneers.
Most dental tourists are beginning to seek cheaper alternatives in countries that offer exceptional dental services at a budget-friendly cost.
Many dental tourists favor Turkey as one of the most visited countries.
For instance, getting dental veneers in Antalya slashes the expected cost of veneers in places like the US or the UK by half. The average cost per tooth may vary from two hundred to four hundred euros for porcelain veneers, while composite veneers may only cost $100 to $200.
However, prices may vary depending on the dentist and other professional help sought.
Because of the quality of service rendered by dental professionals, getting dental veneers in Turkey may only take five to seven days.
Also, with a lower cost of living and general health, patients will find getting dental veneers or dental implants in Turkey more cost-efficient and budget than anywhere in the world where quality service and results are equally offered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Do Veneers Need to be Replaced?
The time period after which dental veneers may require replacement is predetermined by the type of veneer you opt for. Different veneer types have different resistance levels to several damaging factors.
However, on an average most veneers will last for ten to twenty years before they require replacement. External factors like the chipping or cracking of the veneer might require an emergency replacement.
Upon successful installation, your dentist will furnish you with information about your dental checkup and possible replacement date.
The replacement procedure is often as costly as the first installation, and the installation process is often similar.
Do They Shave Your Teeth for Veneers?
Your dental condition will often determine whether your teeth need to be shaved or not.
Shaving the teeth isn’t often required for patients with gapped or well-spaced teeth.
However, others with misaligned teeth or stained teeth might require a decent shaving of the teeth to enable the dentist to achieve a great level of dental symmetric alignment and a perfect set of teeth.
Patients who have their veneers installed with shaving, and have their teeth enamel intact, may experience less tooth sensitivity and an overall longer duration of the veneers without the need to replace them.
This is because the teeth’s enamel is not exposed nor filed out.
Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers Which is Better?
Undoubtedly, porcelain veneers offer more advantages than composite resin veneers.
The only downside to porcelain is that it is more expensive than the composite version used for veneers. However, in terms of duration, porcelain has ten to fifteen years before needing replacement.
This contrasts with the composite veneers that can only last for four to eight years, although they are cheaper alternatives.
Since veneers are largely cosmetic, porcelain veneers offer more appealing aesthetics than their composite counterparts.
The porcelain veneers catch light almost as naturally as the real teeth do, and they offer a relatively great resistance to staining.
This means you are less likely to polish the porcelain veneers as often as you would do it for a composite veneer, which is likely to get stained easily.
Therefore, porcelain veneers are often the best option depending on your budget.
How Are Dental Veneers Applied?
The process starts with a simple dental consultation with your dentist to determine your veneer options and the best installation process for your dental restoration. If some part of your teeth requires shaving, the next step is to numb the area using a local anesthetic to ease the pain and sensitivity in the teeth region. A bur is then used to drill or shape the teeth into a size that best accommodates the veneers, usually only a millimeter off the tooth surface.
Depending on the dental clinic, a mold or imprint of your teeth may be taken, or the CAD-CAM technology may be explored to print out your teeth mold in minutes.
Once your teeth imprints are ready, they will be used to craft well-symmetrical dental veneers using the materials you have chosen. Some dentists may offer you a temporary veneer pending the casting period.
When the veneers are ready, the teeth’s surfaces are cleaned, etched, and gelled with dental glue to keep the veneer in place.
The veneers are then cemented and exposed to a special curing light to permanently seal the veneers into the etched surface of your teeth. The entire process can be completed within a week, including only two dental visits to conclude the installation.
How Many Times Can Veneers Be Replaced?
Dental veneers are designed to be a durable dental restoration option. Most types of veneers last between four and fifteen years, and you can equally replace them after the expected duration has lapsed. However, it is not unusual to experience a tooth or more losing the veneer attached to them.
There is a 60% chance that you will lose some veneers during the expected lifespan of the dental veneer. This may require a quick replacement, and it can be done as many times as they keep falling off.
To enjoy a maximum expected duration threshold, follow your dentist’s instructions on dental care and do not use your teeth as a tool.
What Do Dental Veneers Look Like?
Veneers are instant fix that bring back perfection to your teeth without having to undergo orthodontic work on your teeth or replacement with caps.
Dental veneers are wafer-thin and sometimes exude the same brilliance and color as an entire set of teeth.
They are shells that are professionally cast and custom-made to fit your teeth, so you can have a flawless smile for as long as you want.
You can see them as a perfect clone of your original teeth, tweaked to perfection, and they are used majorly for cosmetic aesthetics.
Conclusion
Dental veneers are a great option to correct discolored, mildly crooked, and poorly shaped teeth. The dentist can help decide the right treatment option based on the patient’s desires and financial considerations.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shilpy Bhandari
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