The Pros and Cons of Having Porcelain Veneers 

When everything seems to be dull and gloomy, nothing can brighten up your day other than a sincere and pleasant smile. A smile can definitely bring warmth and joy to everyone. But what if you don't have the confidence to flash that smile because your teeth appear to be chipped, uneven-colored and stained? 

Having these minor flaws on your teeth should not be a cause for panic. Cosmetic dentistry has invented the porcelain veneers to hide the minor imperfections of your teeth and bring out that perfect smile once again. These are thin pieces of ceramic bonded to the front of your teeth that enhance your teeth's appearance and repair some minor flaws.  

If you're now on the verge of going to your dentist, try to do some research first and weigh on the pros and cons before having those porcelain veneers bonded to your teeth.  

PROS 

Porcelain has similarities with the teeth's covering, enamel. Both porcelain and enamel react to light in similar ways that is why even if your tooth is already covered with porcelain veneers, it still looks natural even when seen up-close. You don't have to worry anymore on having discolored teeth. Porcelain veneers can give you a whiter and more consistent set of teeth.  

Since porcelain is ceramic, it also has the capability to be stain-resistant. Its surface is extremely smooth, which makes substances just slide off from your tooth and not leave any stain. If your natural teeth have been stained already by coffee and cigarettes, you can cover them with porcelain veneers and not fret on giving up either your coffee or cigarette habit.  

Also, as compared to crowns, porcelain veneers are easier to shape on the tooth. This is because veneers only cover the front part while crowns hide the entire visible part of the tooth. A poorly fitted crown can lead to gum inflammation and tooth loss. 

CONS 

Even though porcelain veneers are good in concealing your natural teeth's imperfections, they are still artificial – and this can be a limiting factor for some. It might take some time to get used to having these veneers bonded on your teeth.  

Although porcelain veneers are known to be durable, they are still vulnerable to breakage. If a veneer breaks, it cannot be repaired anymore and has to be replaced already. Spending for new veneers can be a disadvantage since they are very costly. Each porcelain veneer can cost anywhere from $500-$1000. It's still reasonable if you'll only veneer a single tooth, but it can really be expensive if there will be a number of teeth involved. 

Having porcelain veneers on your tooth can also lead to increased tooth sensitivity. A small amount of your natural tooth enamel is actually scraped off before putting the porcelain veneer on your tooth. A tooth that has been reduced by its enamel causes it to be more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages. 

Lastly, having a porcelain veneer is a permanent procedure. Once you've had them on your teeth, there's already no turning back. Just imagine removing the veneers and have your natural teeth with a reduced enamel get exposed one more. It's not a pleasing sight, isn't it?  

Porcelain veneers are definitely an innovation on the way our teeth can be improved. If you think that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, then you can now say goodbye to bad teeth and say hello to a perfect smile.
