What Risks Are Associated with Porcelain Veneers? By on July 08, 2014

Risks Associated with Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a revolutionary cosmetic dentistry procedure that can restore a patient’s smile and confidence. However, prior to undergoing treatment, porcelain veneer candidates should consider the risks and rewards of the procedure. Nashville cosmetic dentist Dr. Clint Newman can help patients decide if the procedure is right for them.

Risks and Side Effects

Porcelain veneers are intended to serve as a permanent solution to discolored, crooked, misshapen or otherwise damaged or imperfect teeth. At Dr. Newman’s office in Nashville, porcelain veneers can be applied in as few as two visits, but they will last for years. They will need to be replaced if they fall off or are damaged or broken.

Before deciding to receive porcelain veneers, patients should consider the risks, which include:

After the natural teeth are prepped for the veneers, they may become sensitive to hot and cold, as part of the tooth may be shaved down to fit the veneers.
Veneers are affixed using a permanent adhesive that is sealed with a special light; the natural teeth below the veneers are not intended to be seen. The natural teeth will look unpleasant if a veneer is chipped or falls off. As such, the treatment is permanent. If a veneer falls off or becomes damaged, it should be replaced immediately.
Much like natural teeth, porcelain veneers run the risk of being chipped or cracked if they incur physical damage, or are improperly fit to the patient’s natural bite.
While it is much more resistant to staining than a tooth’s natural enamel, porcelain may become slightly discolored after many years of consistent exposure to tooth-darkening agents like tobacco, soda, or coffee. This discoloration is usually noticeable after several years of wear, or if a veneer is cracked, chipped, or otherwise compromised.
Veneers require the same consistent dental care that natural teeth do. They must be flossed, brushed, and rinsed to prevent plaque bacteria that can cause cavities and other ailments. Because veneers cover the front of natural teeth only, the backs and sides of patients' teeth will remain exposed to cavities, tooth staining agents, and other conditions.
Patients should be prepared to maintain regular checkups with their cosmetic dentist to ensure that veneers are still strongly affixed to the teeth and are free from chips, scratches, and other imperfections.

It is of paramount importance that patients have their veneers applied at a professional, well-reviewed practice like that of Clint Newman, DDS. A cosmetic dentist who does not properly apply the veneers can create a crooked smile or can cause them to interfere with a patient’s natural bite. It is also important that the cosmetic dentist utilizes a professional, trained laboratory to create the veneers so that they look natural and fit beautifully within each patient’s mouth.

Benefits

Porcelain veneers are an excellent option for patients who want a white, straight smile that looks uniform and beautiful, but that also fits naturally within the mouth. Veneers function much in the same way that natural teeth do, so they are easy to maintain and can last for years. They are the fastest, most painless way to rejuvenate a patient’s smile.

For more information on porcelain veneers and any of the other wide range of cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures offered at the Nashville practice of Dr. Newman, schedule a confidential consultation.