All medical and dental procedures come with risks and potential issues. Understanding what those issues and risks help you be better informed and decide for yourself if you will proceed with the chosen procedure. In this case, you are looking at dental veneers, which are a form of cosmetic dentistry. While most patients rarely have a problem with their veneers after they are applied, it only takes one misstep in caring for veneers to undo it all. Before you choose veneers to whiten and perfect your smile, you should know all the possible problems you may encounter if you are not proactive about preventive care for these cosmetic "teeth." 

Resin Veneers May Need Higher Maintenance Than Porcelain Ones

Veneers are wafer-thin, only about a half millimeter thick. There are two main types: porcelain and resin. Resin, being a fancy name for hard plastic, may require a lot more maintenance than its porcelain counterpart when it comes to these teeth covers. If you want your veneers to last a long time, opt for the porcelain ones, or the porcelain-resin composite ones (which are a little cheaper than just porcelain).  

Veneers Can Break Unless You Follow Your Dentist's Care Rules

Veneers typically refer to a surface material applied to a more solid material behind or under the veneer. Not surprisingly, that is exactly what a dental veneer is; your teeth are the solid material. If you use your teeth to open bottles, cans, bags of chips, etc., you can break the veneers. Your dentist will give you strict care instructions to protect your veneers and keep them in excellent condition for years to come. Resin veneers can break faster than porcelain veneers because porcelain is stronger, but if you follow the care rules your dentist gives, you should be fine.

Veneers Can Discolor over Time

While they can provide you with an incredible smile, veneers are only a semi-permanent solution for a perfectly white and perfectly shaped set of teeth. The veneers are designed to slowly accept discoloration over time in order to look as natural as the aging process of your own teeth. Whitening toothpaste will help slow down the "aging" process of veneers, and caring for your teeth behind the veneers helps maintain the whiteness of your smile, too. The biggest thing to remember about this cosmetic procedure is prevention and care. Take excellent care of the veneers, and they will last longer and look better for the effort you make. 

If you want further information about veneers, contact services such as Aaron G Birch, DDS PC. They can help you determine if veneers are right for you.