Has anyone here had dental porcelain veneers?

[Strifer]

I'm considering having it done, but it's very expensive. I want to make sure it's worth it.
Is this something that you can negotiate the cost of with the dentist? Do you have any issues speaking after the procedure is done?

 

[DaTT]

ask if he'll do cash.

 

[JinLien]

<-- Had it done about 20 years ago and the veneers started to wear off after 5 years. It is expensive and isn't worth it, unless you have enought money to have it redone every few years.

 

[KarenMarie]

the girl across the street has them. they look fake and have to be redone every so often.

why not just get the ZOOM whitening treatment?

 

[montanafan]

I had to have a cavity filled in one of my front teeth when I was 14. By the time I was 21 it had become slightly faded and was noticeable. My dentist suggested a veneer. I've had it for 27 years now with no problems. <Knocking on wood.>

One thing to keep in mind is that if you have veneers, you won't be able to use a cheap convenient way of whitening them if you need to because whitening toothpaste, stips, etc. does not work on them. You'll have to go to the dentist for that.

 

[msparish]

I've had a few for about 2.5 years, and I think they look very good. The materials they have come out with for them are much better than those in the past. (In fact, a couple months after I got mine my dentist remarked that an even newer marterial was available). I do have a history of grinding my teeth, so I have to wear a bite guard every time I go to sleep. Before we knew how bad it was, I actually chipped one while I was sleeping before I got the guard. Luckily, the dentist replaced it for free although it wasn't under warranty or anything.

However, if your smile could be fixed by braces, I would strongly recommend that route. Do not use veneers as a quick fix. In my case, even with braces, I would not have liked my smile. In my case, a few of my teeth were smaller than what they should have been.

Just remember if you go with veneers you can't go back because they have to shave your teeth. It is a permanent desicion.

Edit: As far as speaking and biting...it took a few days to get used to it. When I first looked at them after I had them cemented in, I thought they looked awful! However, it was just because it was so different. My teeth look 10 times better than they did before.

 

[Strifer]

Thanks! I definitely want to ask about orthodontic alternatives, but my dentist told me that it was the shape of my teeth, rather than the alignment, that caused my gaps (my teeth are otherwise straight).

The cost is a significant issue. She suggested that I do the top 8 teeth. I had mock-ups put on of what it would look like with 6 or 8 done, and I couldn't really tell the difference. I expect her to prod me toward the 8, because I imagine that will cost several thousand dollars more.

 

[msparish]

Yeah, if it is the shape of your teeth, go for it. It can be a little more hassle than your original teeth...for example the bite guard. However, despite that, I am happy I did it. I actually like to smile now. Before I always tried to keep my mouth closed when I smiled.

Edit: This is also a procedure where you don't want to skimp on the dentist. However, more expensive isn't necessarily better. Just make sure your dentist has experience and satisfied customers.

 

[conehead433]

I recently had some bonding done on my two front teeth. Regrettably the bottom of one of them has broken off although they still do look better than previously since I had erosion on the fronts of each. I would suggest that bonding is strictly a temporary solution and the bonding material seems to stain at a rate that is actually worse than your teeth. I am at the point where I need a complete upper restoration. This would involve having all new porcelain crowns across my front teeth from canine to canine where the crowns would be lengthened to make up for excessive wear. This process is extremely expensive but would be a long lasting solution. A big advantage of doing a complete restoration is immediately having teeth as white as you would like that don't easily stain. For the money to do a veneer versus a crown I would go with a crown.

 

[RbSX]

My mom had it done, she said it was one of the most painful things she's ever experienced.

She has lupus, MS and has had her tear ducts welded shut. So hats alot coming from her.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
the girl across the street has them. they look fake and have to be redone every so often.

why not just get the ZOOM whitening treatment?

It doesn't always have to do with teeth whitening

Sometimes it has to do with unshapely/chipped teath or filling gaps etc.

 

[msparish]

I didn't think it was that painful. Just knocked back a few advil that night and didn't have any pain the next day.