One of the most frequently asked questions about veneers is if they ruin your teeth. The answer is no—veneer preparation requires a tooth reduction of only 1-1.5 mm. While this can vary, particularly when veneers are being used to correct alignment or positioning, even when more enamel is removed, it’s still not enough to compromise the health of a tooth.

The pros of porcelain veneers include fast treatment time, the ability to fix most aesthetic concerns, high rates of patient satisfaction, and dramatic smile makeover results. The cons of porcelain veneers are the expense and the fact that they are irreversible—once you have veneers, you will always need them.

Depending on your oral hygiene and habits, veneers can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. Patients who clench or grind their teeth and those who participate in high-impact sports should wear a nightguard or sport guard to maximize the lifespan of their veneers by protecting against dental trauma.

The cost of porcelain veneers varies based on the type of veneers you’re getting. Porcelain veneers are usually priced between $1200 and $2000 per tooth.

Veneers do not cause bad breath, but when a veneer's edge is positioned beneath the gum line, it might cause gum irritation, redness, swelling, and bleeding. To keep the gums healthy, the margin should always be above or supragingival, to the greatest extent possible. It’s also important to brush and floss well with veneers; even though they cannot get cavities, the bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease can build up on the surfaces of veneers.

You are a good candidate for dental porcelain veneers if your teeth and gums are healthy, but you have cosmetic concerns like staining, chips, gaps, and misalignment.