Few things can impact our confidence in the way that our smiles can. Even the least shallow amongst us can get self-conscious sometimes, and honestly, I think everyone deserves the chance to have a smile that they can be happy with no matter what. I know how frustrating, and even embarrassing, it can be to have one we’re not really happy with.
Not everyone was able to get braces when they were younger, for one reason or another. For me, my family just had more pressing matters to worry about financially – those things can get pretty expensive, honestly. Now that I’m an adult, though, I don’t really want to get them now.
That’s why I started to look into other options, given that I wasn’t really happy with how my smile looked. Shying away from photographs and mirrors was pretty common for me at one point, to the chagrin of my friends and family members (all of whom are quite photo-crazy).
If that’s something that you’re experiencing, don’t worry – you’re not alone. There are even studies out there, like this one, that demonstrate a link between a healthy smile and a healthy mind. Crazy as it seems, there is genuine precedent for getting “cosmetic” procedures done for our teeth.
What are Veneers?
Although it may seem like braces are your only option when it comes to improving the aesthetics of your smile, this really isn’t the case. There are plenty of other options that are available to us – we just have to know where to look! Perhaps the biggest one is something known as veneers.
If you’re not familiar with them, they’re fairly easy to understand. Simply put, they’re a shell that is made to fit over your teeth. To make them work, they’re pretty much always custom, and intended to go over your natural teeth as seamlessly as possible. That way, they look like a completely natural smile.
Veneers are probably one of the more common dental procedures for folks as they mature, seeing as they are relatively affordable compared to other solutions and they can tackle a great variety of potential issues. What might those be, though, and how can these little shells really “solve” anything?
What they can Help With
The big question that you might be asking yourself here is well, if these are so great, what sorts of issues can they tackle? There are a few main ones, which may help make sense of the real cost of getting veneers if you were wondering why they can be somewhat pricy depending on the type that you get. For the most part, the adjustments that can be made are cosmetic.
Of course, as I mentioned above, those cosmetic changes can be a pretty big deal. Tooth discoloration is a huge one. Over time, there are many factors that could cause our teeth to become discolored. Coffee drinkers are probably well aware of the stains that their favorite beverage can leave on their teeth.
Additionally, something they just begin to yellow thanks to the natural aging process. Veneers are able to cover this and replace the discolored smile with a bright and shiny one. Most likely, this is the main draw for a lot of people. However, this is not the only thing that they can accomplish.
Covering chipped or cracked teeth is another thing, which isn’t even just a cosmetic thing. Depending on the damage, having it exposed to everything that you eat can be quite uncomfortable. Those are just a few of the possibilities, although I’m sure there are more as well!
Types of Veneers
At the end of the day, the cost of a set of veneers is largely going to depend on what type that you decide to get. They can be made of a variety of different materials, and there are a few other distinctions to be aware of as well. To get an idea of how that works, you can check out this page: https://www.verywellhealth.com/composite-veneers-5323416.
When it comes to veneers, there are two main types to be aware of. The first are porcelain, and the second are composite resin. Within those categories, there are of course a few further types, but that’s a bit more complicated. Most of them are permanent, of course, but many resin sets are made to be a placeholder of sorts.
You see, composite resin can be used to create a set of shells or molds on the day of your visit. They’ll last a few weeks while your porcelain set is being made, if you end up not wanting to wait that long. Really, I can’t blame you – I went for a temporary set while waiting as well! I think the main thing to know is that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to go about getting a set of veneers.
With each and every option you could go for, there are pros and cons. For example, there is a new type called “e-max” veneers. These are a bit more expensive than other ones, and are an irreversible process. However, they’re also very natural looking and they don’t stain! That’s just one instance of what I’m talking about here.
If you’ve been on the fence about getting a set, I understand. It can be a bit intimidating to ask about them. Personally, I didn’t end up getting a set until we were deep in the age of the internet – it’s just a lot more convenient now that we can search for a provider any time that we want. You don’t have to let your location be a limiting factor anymore!
Additionally, it’s easier than ever to compare the costs at one dental office versus another for getting the style of veneers that you want. So, if you have been considering them, now might be the time to go for it. As long as you can find an office that can give you the care that you need, why not, right?
