In order to establish whether veneers are worth their cost, one must weigh up the pros against the cons. Dental veneers can change our smile almost instantly but they do come with a price tag. What sort of return can you expect and how long will they last? These are the factors that need to be considered when trying to decide ‘are veneers worth it’.
Are Veneers Worth It: The Benefits Of Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells that are used to cover up small imperfections in natural teeth, and to produce an even and symmetrical smile. If you want to improve the aesthetics of your smile in a minimally invasive way and your imperfections do not require restoration, porcelain and composite veneers could be worth the investment for you.
The Pros Of Veneers
Dental veneers can be used to address a broad range of issues. Dental veneers could be worth it for you if
- You have teeth that are decayed or imperfections in your tooth enamel
- You have slightly crooked teeth
- Your teeth are discoloured or stained and don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments
- You have small teeth that create gaps when you smile
- You want to change the size, shape or colour of your teeth
- You are in pursuit of the perfect smile in a short period of time.
What Makes Porcelain Veneers So Special?
Porcelain is a highly sought-after veneer material. It can be made very thin and is translucent just like tooth enamel.
Porcelain veneers are strong and long-lasting and may serve you for up to 20 years with good care, which makes them well worth the investment.
The best cosmetic dentistry looks natural and blends in with your natural teeth. If a natural end-result appeals to you, then choosing porcelain as a material is your best option.
Composite veneers can stain and become discoloured whereas porcelain is very stain-resistant and natural.
If you opt for composite dental veneers you might find that you need to change your diet and cut out drinks like coffee and red wine in order to keep your veneers looking good. You may also need to review what you eat in terms of very hard and crunchy food, as these could damage the soft composite resin.
Are Veneers Worth It: The Cons Of Porcelain Veneers
The Cost Factor
How much are you willing to pay for the perfect smile? Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers. This is partly due to
- The price of the material
- The fact that porcelain veneers must be made by a technician
- The fact that you will need to have two or three sessions with your dentist in order to complete a porcelain veneer procedure.
When you compare how long porcelain veneers can last against their price, however, you can expect a good return from your investment. Composite resin might be cheaper but it may only last for four to eight years before it needs replacing. So you can expect to have multiple procedures in the future if you want to pay less now.
More Visits To The Dentist
Having composite resin veneers can be done in one visit to the dentist, but you’ll need to return a few times in the years ahead when your veneers reach the end of their lifespan. If you compare this to two visits and the ten-day waiting period you’re likely to go through while the laboratory manufactures your porcelain veneers, for one set of veneers, the convenience factor should come into play.
Two visits every 20 years for a higher quality product is more convenient than returning every five years.
Are Veneers Worth It?
Porcelain veneers have a really good track record and are known to last when the right tooth preparation is done. If you really want the perfect smile it makes sense to do it right the first time, and not to have to return every few years for another procedure.
Over the course of time, it is possible for a veneer to detach or chip but studies show that this is only likely to happen in 10 to 20 years after they have been placed. Having to return for new composite veneers every four or five years is going to cost more.
The Price Of Dental Veneers
Because it is a cosmetic procedure, Medicare and most private health insurances will not cover the price of porcelain veneers. They are included under Major Dental, so unless you are paying a premium for extras cover you will need to cover the cost out of pocket.
Ultimately the decision of whether to invest in porcelain veneers or not rests with how you rate their pros and cons. Only you know what value your self-confidence is worth and how much you are prepared to invest in order to give it a boost. It’s worth remembering how important the bite is in our facial attractiveness and how integral a symmetrical smile is.
If the condition of your teeth or the appearance of your smile has been bothering you, then porcelain veneers could provide you with the opportunity to change it and are worth your investment.
For more information on dental veneers cost or to ask a professional ‘are veneers worth it’, please contact us for a confidential appointment:
Pyrmont: (02) 9158 6213
Illawong: (02) 9158 6756
Sylvania Waters: (02) 9159 6083
