Porcelain Veneer Myths
Deciding if veneers are right for you.
If you’re considering getting veneers to restore or transform your smile, the internet is a great resource to help you learn about the treatment’s strengths and weaknesses. Doing your research can help you decide whether or not you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alhadef to discuss your options, and helps you to feel more prepared for your consultation.
Unfortunately, a lot of myths get republished as fact on the internet, which can make it difficult for you to distinguish between fact and fiction. If you’re curious about veneers, we have dispelled a few common myths about them below. This should give you enough basic information to know whether or not you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alhadef.
1. My smile won’t look natural.
This may have been true several decades ago, but technology has improved in leaps and bounds, allowing us to use materials and methods that ensure your veneers will look completely natural. Veneers are usually made from porcelain, which mimics the appearance of natural teeth perfectly, even achieving the slight gloss that natural teeth have. Your veneers will look even more natural because they’re designed with you in mind. Instead of coming straight off an assembly line, Dr. Alhadef works with you to choose the size, shape, and shade of your veneers. Dr. Alhadef uses his renowned artistry to design veneers that match your treatment goals and complement your facial features, ensuring that your smile looks completely natural whether you’re getting a single veneer or a whole set. The only people who will realize you have veneers are your close family and friends—and even then, they’ll only notice because of the positive difference in your smile and self-confidence!
2. Veneers are fragile.
When you think of porcelain, you probably think of antique vases or teacups that a single clumsy movement can send crashing to the ground, shattering them into a thousand tiny pieces. It’s probably this association, as well as the fact that veneers are almost wafer-thin, that makes people assume that veneers are fragile. In reality, however, they’re incredibly durable. They can handle any activity that your natural teeth can, including biting into whole apples, so you don’t have to make changes to how or what you eat to protect your veneers. Veneers are so durable that if they’re cared for properly, they can withstand the same daily use as your natural teeth for about 15 years before they need to be replaced. They do have their limits, however, so you should wear nightguards if you grind your teeth at night and avoid opening packaging with your teeth—all things you should do to protect your teeth whether or not you have veneers.
3. If I don’t like my veneers, I can just have them removed.
This myth is partially true, in a way. If you get veneers and absolutely hate the results, you can get them removed—but you must replace them with a new set of veneers. Since the procedure to place your veneers requires Dr. Alhadef to remove a small amount of enamel from the surface of your tooth, it’s permanent. Once you get veneers, you’ll always need them. This is why choosing a qualified dentist who is known for their skill with veneers and who takes the time to listen to you is so important. Veneers are a long-term investment meant to improve your smile for over a decade, so it’s important that you love the results the first time around.
4. Anyone can get veneers.
Veneers are a great treatment for many dental issues, but they do have their limits and aren’t for everyone. You need to have good oral health before you get veneers, so you may need to undergo dental treatments before you qualify for them, and you may not be a good fit if you have a history of frequent tooth decay. Although they’re durable, veneers can crack or chip under the strain of grinding teeth, so if you grind your teeth at night or habitually throughout the day, veneers might not be the best treatment for you. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you can mitigate this risk by wearing a nightguard to sleep; however, even though most people can get veneers without a problem, it’s wise to examine all your options with Dr. Alhadef before you set your heart on a specific treatment.
5. The procedure is painful.
It’s common for people to worry that dental procedures will be painful, but modern anesthetics ensure that dental procedures are painless. Placing veneers typically involves two separate procedures: the first is when Dr. Alhadef prepares and takes molds of your teeth, and the second is when he places your veneers. Before each procedure, Dr. Alhadef will administer a local anesthetic and wait for it to numb your mouth so that you won’t experience any discomfort. You may experience a little soreness once the local anesthetic wears off, but it can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
Veneers are a versatile, durable, and long-lasting treatment that enables millions of Americans to regain a dazzling, confident smile. If you believe that veneers might be the right solution for you, feel free to call our office at any time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alhadef to discuss your goals and treatment options.