As more and more people turn to cosmetic dentistry for smile enhancement, many of those interested become confused about both the type and cost of smile enhancement. Often, people who talk to others who have gotten porcelain veneers assume that is the "only" approach to smile enhancement, other than tooth whitening. The information that follows should not be considered a substitute for seeing an experienced and reputable cosmetic dentist. Rather, it's intended to let you know that an experienced cosmetic dentist has MANY techniques that can be applied, some of which are explained below.

Porcelain veneers - what they are

Much as their name implies, porcelain veneers are very thin layers of porcelain that are custom-fit and then permanently bonded to the fronts of your teeth. They can be used to "cover" certain types of imperfections in your teeth, or to give your smile a whiter and/or more attractive and consistent appearance. Porcelain veneers are strong and durable, but at the same time must be treated with care - much like you should also treat your natural teeth.

Porcelain veneers vs. porcelain crowns

The biggest difference between the two is that veneers cover only the front surface of the tooth while a crown is a "cap" that replaces the whole visible, outer portion of your tooth. With a veneer, more of your natural tooth is preserved, which is generally a good thing. However, only your dentist can advise which procedure (veneer or crown) is the best approach for your case. It is critical that the long-term health of your tooth be preserved. Merely "covering" a diseased tooth with a veneer is never a good idea, and can result in loss of the tooth. Similarly, a poorly fitted veneer - even on a healthy tooth - can cause gum inflammation and eventually even tooth loss.

Composite veneers vs. cosmetic bonding vs. porcelain veneers

Cosmetic bonding techniques have been in use for almost half a century. The quality of the composite materials (resins) used in bonding have certainly improved greatly over the decades, and offer a more natural appearance than they did before. Cosmetic bonding is something that can be done to make repairs on almost any tooth surface; however, its practicality and stability is something your cosmetic dentist should advise you about. (It can be used to address cracks, chips, imperfections, and small gaps between teeth, as well as a "filling" for treated areas of decay.)

A composite veneer, then, is the application of the bonding material (resin) in a shell-like fashion to the front or outer shell of a tooth. One difference between a composite veneer and a porcelain veneer is related to how light hits the surface of each. Composite bonding resins have improved greatly in recent decades and come in many different colors; however, the resins used are more opaque than porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are popular because they are translucent material, and your natural tooth enamel is also translucent.

Other difference between composite and porcelain veneers have to do with durability and staining. Porcelain veneers are the winners in both categories. With time, resins are more likely to become stained or discolored; the resins still have not achieved the long-term durability of the high-quality porcelain used today. On the other hand, it is simpler to grind down and repair or replace a cracked composite veneer, whereas with a porcelain veneer, a custom replacement veneer must be crafted. The location, extent, and size of the imperfection in your tooth (and surrounding teeth), along with your objectives for your smile, are all important factors that your cosmetic dentist should take into account before determining what the best treatment plan is for your situation. There are other factors to consider, as well.

Teeth whitening

If your teeth are in good condition otherwise, and you've tried over-the-counter tooth whitening approaches and been disappointed, that doesn't necessarily mean that you need porcelain veneers. Ask your cosmetic dentist whether the use of in-office or at-home whitening procedures might produce the results you're looking for. For some people, the one-size-fits-all trays provided with over-the-counter overnight whitening products simply aren't a good fit and produce poor results.