5 Things You Need to Know About Veneers
Patients at Dr. Nidhi Pai's San Francisco Bay Area practice ask about veneers constantly. Here are the five questions that come up most often, answered plainly.
1. Are veneers permanent?
Veneers become part of the tooth. The bond between a veneer and the underlying tooth structure is so strong that dentists classify it as part of the tooth itself. With proper care, veneers last 15 to 20 years at minimum.
2. Do veneers hurt?
No. The procedure is largely painless. Most patients are comfortable throughout and do not require anything beyond local anesthetic, if that.
3. How are veneers applied, and do they damage your teeth?
Veneers are chemically bonded to the tooth surface. Once bonded, separating the veneer from the tooth is extremely difficult. They do not harm the underlying tooth.
In fact, veneers are often the right solution precisely because the tooth has already been compromised. Patients who have weak enamel, who have worn through enamel from acid exposure, aggressive brushing, or years of grinding, benefit from veneers because the veneer reinforces what is left. A veneered tooth is 2.5 times stronger than an unrestored tooth. The veneer protects the tooth rather than diminishing it.
4. How much do veneers cost in the Bay Area?
Veneers typically range from $2,000 to $4,000 per tooth. In the San Francisco Bay Area, costs tend to sit toward the higher end of that range depending on the material, the number of teeth involved, and the complexity of the case. Dr. Pai's practice offers consultations to discuss the full scope of treatment and financing options before any decisions are made.
5. Who is a good candidate for veneers?
The best candidates are patients who have significant tooth wear. This typically means people who have lost enamel from acid erosion, a highly acidic diet, drinking a lot of soda, brushing too aggressively, or chronic grinding. The common thread is that the protective outer layer of the tooth has been compromised, and a veneer restores both the function and the appearance of what was lost.
If a patient's teeth are structurally sound and they are pursuing veneers purely for cosmetic reasons, Dr. Pai takes a conservative approach. The goal is always to do what is best for the long-term health of the tooth, not just the short-term look.
Considering veneers in the Bay Area?
Dr. Pai's practice serves patients from San Francisco, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Redwood City, and across the Peninsula. To find out whether veneers are the right option for your teeth, request a consultation.
