5 Reasons Porcelain Veneers Are Worth the Investment

For many individuals looking for a more confident smile, porcelain veneers have become a durable and long-lasting solution. Nonetheless, many others are scared off by the financial costs of this solution. The price of porcelain veneers generally ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 per tooth, and a full set of veneers can cost upwards of $20,000, as much as seven months of rent for a typical Los Angeles apartment. Moreover, most insurance plans do not cover the procedure. However, while the upfront cost of porcelain veneers may feel prohibitive, the numerous benefits these dental veneers provide more than offset these initial costs.

At one time, a perfect smile was only necessary for a select few–movie stars, pop singers, or mainstream media personalities. Now, however, an increased importance placed on personal appearance has demanded that more and more people focus on the quality of their smile.

A 2019 study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that aligned teeth were a more critical factor in overall attractiveness than eyes, lips, hair, and skin.¹ For those whose lives and livelihoods depend on social interactions–the salesperson looking to close, the trial attorney addressing a jury, the startup founder appealing to potential investors–an attractive smile may be the most important physical aspect to ensuring that these interactions are successful and productive.

Additionally, according to a blog post published in Psychology Today, people view a smiling individual as more sincere and reliable.² Smiling often provides us with emotional and physiological boosts, indicates to others that we are approachable and trustworthy, and reminds us of our social acceptance–all factors that feed our self-confidence.

In today’s competitive professional world, self-confidence is a crucial factor for performance and success. It drives effective communication, increases resilience in the face of challenges, propels career advancement, and establishes trust and credibility within collaborations, partnerships, and organizations. Confidence shapes the way we approach new professional contacts, the way we engage in meaningful conversations, the way we are remembered after important meetings.

With a confident and radiant smile becoming more and more of an expectation for successful, high-performing individuals, pursuing options in aesthetic dentistry, specifically porcelain veneers, can prove to be an exceptional investment. The appearance, durability, and versatility of porcelain veneers make them an ideal cosmetic solution for achieving a confident, self-assured smile, leading patients to better and more satisfying social and professional lives.

Porcelain veneers have proven to be an exceptional investment for the following reasons:

While many options exist for cosmetic dentistry treatments, porcelain veneers are unique in their longevity. The effects of teeth whitening via laser treatments, for example, generally last six months to a year before another session is necessary. Patients opting for composite veneers will need to replace their veneers within four to eight years. On the other hand, patients who choose porcelain veneers can expect them to last 10 to 15 years or longer with proper dental care.

As a material, porcelain has a long history in dentistry, used in dental restorations such as crowns and bridges in addition to dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are harder than natural tooth enamel, thus allowing them to better endure the abuses teeth encounter on a daily basis without losing integrity.

Unlike composite resin veneers, which can be prone to chipping or staining, porcelain veneers have demonstrated exceptional resistance to breaking. Additionally, with an appropriate dental hygiene routine, porcelain veneers are practically stain-proof.

According to a clinical trial published recently in the Journal of Dentistry, porcelain veneers significantly outperformed composite veneers over a 10-year period, both in terms of survival rate and quality of the remaining restorations after a decade.³ For those looking for a proven, durable, long-term cosmetic dentistry solution, porcelain veneers are an optimal choice.

Individuals considering cosmetic dentistry procedures may worry about strict or demanding maintenance routines in order to enjoy the full benefits of their treatment. For instance, patients who have undergone professional teeth whitening sessions are advised to avoid a long list of foods and beverages, including berries, grapes, chocolate, coffee, tea, wine, and fruit juices. For many, the lifestyle changes necessitated by such a procedure can mitigate the benefits of the procedure itself.

To the contrary, individuals with porcelain veneers can maintain their veneers largely by following a standard dental hygiene regimen–brushing teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, flossing regularly, and using an antiseptic mouthwash. By opting for porcelain veneers, patients who have been practicing quality dental hygiene may continue their oral care routines without worrying about additional restrictions or specialized routines.

Those seeking cosmetic dentistry solutions want a better, more confident smile. They do not want new constraints on what they can eat or drink. They do not want complicated cleaning and upkeep routines. Porcelain veneers offer a long-lasting option that allows patients to continue living their lives without unnecessary worries.

People explore cosmetic dentistry solutions for a variety of reasons. Some may wish to address cracked or chipped teeth. Others may seek fixes for stains, gaps, or undersized teeth. Most cosmetic dentistry options are designed to address one of these issues.

Teeth whitening, for instance, seeks to correct tooth discoloration caused by dental plaque, tobacco use, the consumption of certain foods, and aging through the use of chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and sometimes LED or halogen light. A patient with a cracked tooth might opt for a dental bonding procedure, in which a dentist bonds a resin material to the affected tooth to enhance its appearance. Someone with a chipped or misshapen tooth might choose a reshaping procedure, where a dentist strategically removes enamel to correct discrepancies among teeth.

Porcelain veneers, though, are singular in their ability to address numerous aesthetic concerns, making them among the most versatile cosmetic dentistry options. Porcelain veneers provide a teeth whitening option that is extraordinarily stain-resistant. They can eliminate gaps in teeth, offering a reliable alternative to traditional orthodontics. The veneer shells can overlay undersized teeth to restore natural contours. Porcelain veneers also correct chipped, overlapped, and fractured teeth.

Patients who get their teeth whitened while ignoring a crooked incisor will not leave their treatment with the most confident smile. Those who have a cracked tooth bonded without addressing stains and discoloration are only taking partial measures toward the goal of a radiant smile. Individuals who elect for porcelain veneers, however, are able to resolve multiple issues for an optimal long-term solution, ensuring a brilliant, confident smile for years to come.

The advanced technology used to design porcelain veneers today means each patient has a say in the final outcome of the veneering procedure. Working closely with a qualified dentist helps the patient determine the characteristics of the porcelain veneers that work best for them.

Some patients might think that the whitest possible veneers make for an ideal solution. However, exceptionally white porcelain veneers may appear unnatural or artificial. A skilled cosmetic dentist will instead assist the patient in discovering the right kind of white to complement the patient’s features and skin tone.

Moreover, patients may want to consider the size and shape of porcelain veneers. Many consider squarer teeth to be more masculine whereas rounded teeth are more feminine. Patients may choose to adhere to these perceptions, or they may choose a more personalized approach. More so than other cosmetic dentistry options, porcelain veneers offer patients remarkable control over the final results.

People seeking aesthetic improvements to their smile are not merely looking for whiter, straighter teeth. They are looking for a smile that looks natural. Thus, it is critical that patients are aware that not every cosmetic dentistry option is equally capable of providing a healthy, natural-looking smile.

The thickness of no-prep veneers, for instance, tends to give the appearance of the tooth protruding from the gum line, making the cosmetic correction obvious and unnatural. To the contrary, porcelain veneers are specifically designed and prepared to mimic the natural thickness of a patient’s tooth, providing a clean, natural appearance.

Healthy natural teeth are not only white and radiant; they also reflect light in a particular way. The dull texture of composite resin veneers prevents this natural reflection of light, causing the veneers to appear more obvious and unnatural. Porcelain, on the other hand, reflects light much in the same way as natural teeth, helping to conceal the fact the patient is wearing dental veneers at all.

Cosmetic dentistry solutions are worth little if they result in an artificial look. Experienced dentists who specialize in porcelain veneers help to ensure the result is a natural, organic, healthy smile.