In some matters, cutting costs and cutting corners are one and the same. You might be interested in cutting costs when it comes to your cosmetic dental needs, but cutting corners should be avoided. However, it can be difficult to make this call sometimes. The comparatively low price of composite resin dental veneers can be awfully tempting, but do these types of veneers simply cut too many corners to be worthwhile?
On the Surface
Veneers are capable of transforming smiles with a minimum of fuss. The tarnished surface of a tooth is simply covered with a wafer-thin, tooth-colored shell. The shell can match the shape of the tooth beneath it, or it can extend beyond the margins of the underlying tooth—such as when the veneer is intended to correct a small or misshapen tooth. The veneer itself is usually made of durable ceramic but can also be made out of less expensive composite resin (acrylic) materials.
Standard Use of Composite Resin Veneers
You might actually have some difficulty finding a cosmetic dentist willing to place acrylic veneers on your teeth. Many dentists reserve composite resin veneers for younger patients—those whose dental development is still ongoing but have a need for a temporary veneer. The idea is that these composite resin veneers will be switched for ceramic restorations when the patient is a little older. Cosmetic dentists can be unwilling to apply composite resin veneers to an adult's teeth with the intention that these veneers will be worn permanently.
Not Intended for Long-Term Use
Composite resin veneers can't really be worn permanently. They simply aren't designed for long-term use. The exact lifespan of these restorations depends on a number of different factors (level of oral hygiene, any orthodontic issues, diet), but typically last for around four years. Because they're acrylic, they're more porous than their ceramic equivalents.
Irreversibly Tarnished
Composite resin veneers won't become irreversibly stained overnight, but as the months and years go by, their discoloration will become more and more obvious. There are few options for whitening dental restorations and even fewer options when the restorations are resin. When composite resin veneers become too tarnished, they'll need to be replaced—or you'll need to put up with unhealthy-looking teeth, which defeats the purpose of having dental restorations in the first place.
Even if you can find a dentist willing to permanently fit composite resin veneers to adult teeth, you will be both cutting costs and cutting corners. It's far more advantageous to invest a little more money in your dental health and opt for the clear superiority of ceramic veneers.
Contact a cosmetic dentist for more information.
Share16 September 2022
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.