What Are the Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers?

Are there any Disadvantages of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers have a lot going for them if you want to perfect your smile, but there are a few drawbacks you should be aware of when deciding whether this popular cosmetic dental treatment is right for you.

Make sure you read these before going ahead and make the commitment.

26 April 2022

Veneers – wafer-thin porcelain shells – are bonded to the front of teeth to enhance shape, colour or length and create a more symmetrical appearance. The procedure today entails only minimal preparation of a tooth, thanks to advances in technology that have made porcelain veneers thinner than ever.

There are other factors to be considered, though, when deciding whether porcelain veneers are the best option to transform your smile. We’ll look at the disadvantages of porcelain veneers here.

Possibility of Damage or Stains on porcelain veneers

Sometimes a veneer might become dislodged or chip or fracture and need to be replaced, especially if you’re in the habit of biting your fingernails or chewing hard objects like pencils or pens or ice cubes.

Although porcelain veneers are highly durable, they will eventually become damaged if repeatedly subjected to pressure.

Veneers are also prone to damage if you have the medical condition of night bruxism – excessive grinding or clenching of teeth while you sleep. Wearing a night guard may be able to provide protection for your veneers.

Porcelain veneers resist staining better than tooth enamel and composite veneers, but they may still become discoloured over time from drinks with dark pigments. To avoid stains, your dentist may recommend you avoid or limit coffee, tea and red wine.

Getting veneers is a Permanent Treatment

Porcelain veneer treatment is irreversible because a small amount of dental enamel has to be removed to accommodate the veneer.

So you need to be absolutely sure you want veneers. If you don’t like the final look, there’s no going back. Ask your dentist whether they can show you a mock-up preview of how your smile will look after veneer treatment.

Porcelain veneers can last 15 years or longer. However, if a veneer breaks or cracks it cannot be repaired and will have to be replaced. In the absence of a veneer, the prepared tooth would be more prone to damage and decay.

Temporary Tooth Sensitivity

Your teeth may feel sensitive for a short while after veneer treatment. This can happen because of:

Enamel loss. Trimming of enamel in the porcelain veneer procedure can trigger short-term sensitivity of the underlying nerve to hot or cold foods and drinks and sweet or acidic foods.
Bite adjustment. It usually takes a few days to adjust your bite after getting veneers, and this can lead to increased sensitivity.

Any temporary discomfort from dental sensitivity after veneer treatment can generally be managed with mild over-the-counter pain relief and by avoiding very hard foods.