Cosmetic Dentistry |7 min read

The Pros and Cons of Porcelain vs. Prepless Veneers

Are you fed up with flaws in your teeth? Are you tired of automatically hiding your mouth when you laugh or smile?

Or worse yet:

Do you even remember the last time you smiled openly – without wondering if someone noticed your crooked, damaged, or discolored teeth?

Have you heard of veneers?

Veneers are a robust cosmetic dentistry solution used to cover tooth imperfections so you can smile and laugh with confidence again.

And:

There’s more than one option to fit your goals – and budget – to transform your smile with a natural look.

Let’s take a closer look at what veneers are, the two most commonly used types of veneers, and their pros and cons!

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are tooth-colored shells designed to adhere to the front of your teeth and fix:

  • Gaps
  • Uneven spacing
  • Misalignment
  • Misshapen or irregularly-sized teeth
  • Damage
  • Discoloration

There are many types of veneers.

Which means:

You don’t have to settle for generic, one-design-fits-all veneers – no chiclet teeth for you!

The two most popular are prepless veneers and porcelain veneers.

Now let’s talk about the differences between these two types of veneer treatments.

What are porcelain veneers?

Before and after of real porcelain veneers on a patient.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells made of porcelain permanently attached to the front of your teeth with the broadest range of options for customization.

They cover a comprehensive range of smile flaws, specifically severe discoloration and misalignment.

Porcelain veneers take a minimum of two appointments to complete.

Your first appointment involves a consultation, deciding on a treatment plan, and tooth prep.

And:

You’ll have temporary veneers to test drive your new smile while your custom veneers are made in a professional lab.

When your permanent veneers come in:

The temporary veneers are removed, and your final set is artistically placed.

What are prepless veneers?

Prepless veneers are ultra-thin, tooth-colored shells bonded to the surface of your tooth with minimal prep.

This means:

  1. Prepless veneers are minimally invasive, virtually pain-free, and semi-permanent
  2. You’ll get a natural-looking, brighter smile you can change at any time
  3. They can be completed in as little as one appointment

What are Lumineers?

Lumineers® are a type of prepless veneer made from a laminate material.

They’re also a reversible cosmetic treatment.

So just like other prepless veneers:

  • There’s no pressure for a permanent commitment
  • There’s no need for temporary veneers
  • And you could spend less time in the office

Image of patient’s before and after prepless veneers.

If you’re located near Columbia, SC:

Book a consultation with our renowned cosmetic dentist at WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry.

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How long do veneers last?

All types of veneers last for many years with good oral hygiene practices.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

Porcelain veneers are the longest-lasting veneer at seven to twenty years.

They’re reliable and have similar strength to natural teeth.

How long do prepless veneers last?

Prepless veneers – including Lumineers – last up to ten years before needing to be replaced.

How much do veneers cost?

The short answer:

The cost varies from patient to patient.

And:

There’s a cost difference between the types of veneers.

How much are porcelain veneers?

The national average cost of porcelain veneers ranges between $900 to $2,500 per tooth… Opens in a new window to healthline website… .

How much do prepless veneers cost?

Prepless veneers range between $800 to $2,000 per tooth… Opens in a new window to healthline website… as a national average.

How much do Lumineers cost?

The national average cost of Lumineers is between $800 and $2,000 per tooth… Opens in a new window to healthline website… .

These three things can affect the overall cost of your veneers:

  • Case complexity and goals
  • Geographic location
  • Dentist’s level of expertise

If you’re worried about cost, hear us out:

Like WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry, many offices offer customized and flexible payment options because dental insurances usually don’t cover elective cosmetic procedures like veneers.

So, it’s essential to find a cosmetic dental practice that provides flexibility with your budget on top of high-quality services.

Do you want to know the cost of your veneers in Columbia, SC?

Sit down with Dr. Justin Griffin for a complimentary consultation. He’ll determine your best treatment options, what your veneers would cost, and go over your customized payment options.

BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION

Do veneers hurt?

The short answer: No! A numbing agent is used during any tooth prep to keep you comfortable.

After your veneers are on, any minor tooth sensitivity you experience is normal and will go away quickly.

Do veneers damage your teeth?

No, veneers don’t ruin your teeth.

Once adhered to the surface of the teeth, veneers can make your teeth stronger.

Even though veneers are incredibly thin, they’re extraordinarily sturdy and long-lasting.

Veneers are the most popular cosmetic treatment to fix flaws, strengthen your teeth, and enhance your smile.

Your favorite celebrity’s Hollywood smile might be from veneers!

Creating extraordinary and breathtaking smiles is what we do. Check out our smile gallery to see the smiles we’ve transformed at WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry.

VIEW SMILE TRANSFORMATION

Are you ready to get veneers in Columbia, SC?

Are you imagining the possibilities for your smile?

You’ll go from flawed and ordinary to extraordinary with durable porcelain veneers custom-made for you.

Dr. Griffin uses his exceptional skills and experience to transform and protect your smile with veneers. His patients enjoy a stress-free and pleasant experience while receiving life-changing cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Columbia, SC.

Get ready to fall in love with your smile by requesting your FREE online smile consultation by filling out the form below.

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Our office is conveniently located in Columbia, SC and we happily welcome patients from the neighboring communities of Irmo, Lexington, Camden, Blythewood, and Elgin, SC. We also serve patients from out of state!