Dental veneers are often touted as the perfect celeb smile. However, many people often wish they could have veneers, but they are unaware of what they entail and the commitment. Veneers aren’t magic they require commitment.
We often get asked about veneers at our Leicester dental practice. We decided it would be beneficial if people had a brief guide on ‘Alternatives to veneers UK…’ that they could read at their leisure. Of course, dental treatment varies from person to person, and this guide shouldn’t be used in place of professional dental advice given to you following a full consultation.
In this guide, we will first discuss what you need to know about dental veneers. We will then also look at alternative options that may be suitable for you.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are a covering that goes over the top of your teeth. They are usually made from porcelain. Veneers can be used to change the size, shape and colour of your teeth.
Veneers are mostly used to fix:
• Teeth that are discoloured
• Teeth that have been worn down
• Chipped or broken teeth
• To improve the shape of the tooth
• To close a space between teeth
The treatment process for porcelain veneers
Having dental veneers happens over several appointments.
Firstly a consultation to check that you are suitable and understand the commitment required for veneers.
Having veneers requires you to have excellent oral health. Your mouth has to be healthy with no tooth decay or gum disease. This can affect have a negative impact on the veneer treatment. So before you proceed with veneer treatment, there may be some other dental and hygiene work required.
Once your mouth is healthy, veneers can be completed in 3-4 appointments. This involves planning, preparation and fitting and of course, a review appointment to check that you are managing to look after them at home.
Committing to veneers
Having veneers is a big commitment. Firstly due to the extensive work and laboratory involvement (to make the veneers), the cost of veneers can be very high. Veneers do not last forever and will have to be replaced. So you need to consider your financial position not just now but in the future.
Most veneer treatments involve filing away some tooth. This is important to understand, as it means that the procedure, in most cases, cannot be undone.
As we mentioned, veneers require you to have excellent oral health. This requires a daily commitment to interdental cleaning – flossing and toothbrushing. Failure to do this could result in poor appearance or further treatment being needed. Gum disease can cause the gums to shrink away from the veneer, and tooth decay could start around the surfaces of the tooth and veneer. Good oral hygiene is imperative for dental veneers!
Adjustment to diet. Veneers are durable, but they can chip or break when the aftercare instructions aren’t followed. Your dentist is likely to advise you that you should no longer bite into hard foods such as apples or carrots. This puts a massive force onto the veneers and could cause them to chip or break. You can still eat those foods, but you will be required to cut them with a knife and then place into your mouth to chew.
These are just a few of the commitments and considerations you should think about if deciding whether you want veneers. Your dental professional will be able to discuss your factors during a cosmetic consultation.
Alternative options to veneers
There are alternative options to having veneers. These options have now also become popular with celebs and people in the public eye. These alternatives are considered to be more conservative – it doesn’t harm the teeth significantly.
Adult cosmetic braces. Also known as invisible braces.
Braces for adults are now more popular than ever. With around half of all brace cases now being adults, not kids! People often want veneers to improve the position of the teeth. Adult braces offer you a solution to permanently fix the teeth. There are a couple of advantages braces have over veneers. Firstly, once the treatment is complete, it requires minimal commitment compared to veneers. There are no changes to your eating habits and having teeth that are aligned correctly has a positive impact on your dental health. This is because food and plaque don’t trap as easily, and they are also easier to clean, which makes your home care routine much more effective.
Cosmetic contouring/reshaping
Sometimes dentists can reshape your teeth using some composite filling material. This can be done in one appointment, and subtle changes can have a dramatic effect on your smile. Because it doesn’t involve lab work or several appointments, it can be a considerably cheaper alternative to dental veneers.
The drawbacks are that it’s not always a suitable treatment. There are limitations as to what can be done, and they can break easily and cause damage to the natural tooth.
If you would like to discuss your options for improving your smile then take advantage of our free no-obligation consultation. Get in touch here.
