There are a number of treatments for teeth that are discolored or in bad condition. One of the most permanent is to have dental veneers applied.
Americans spend about $1.4 billion on tooth whitening products and procedures annually, which is a lot of money. One of the reasons they spend so much is because the treatments and procedures have to be repeated every few months. That is not a problem you will have with dental veneers, because they usually last a minimum of five and as long as 10 years before they have to be replaced.
The reason that dental veneers last so long is because they are made of porcelain, which is a very durable and sturdy material. The veneers are applied to the front surface of your tooth, usually by a cosmetic dentist, but a family dentist can do the procedure if he or she has had the right training. Not only do the veneers provide you with a cosmetic benefit in the way of whitened teeth, they also protect and strengthen damaged teeth, and they can change he shape and legth of teeth.
More and more people are starting to see the benefits of dental veneers over other forms of treatments for teeth whitening and other cosmetic purposes. The use of veneers has increased 250% over the past five years. The cost, which can run $1,000 or more per veneer, does not seem to put off many people. Women are the most likely to use dental veneers, making up two-thirds of all users. They are also popular among the Generation X and baby boomer generations. More than half of all people seeking cosmetic dentistry are between the ages of 41 and 60. There are many reasons for this. These age groups are likely to be the best able to afford the costs for veneers. They also are the most likely to have tooth issues, such as yellowed teeth. And they also are more likely to be worried about their smile and the overall look of their teeth as it relates to their jobs and career prospects.
If you think you might be a good candidate for porcelain veneers, you should talk to your regular dentist, who can either recommend a cosmetic dentist or offer to do the procedure if he or she has been trained to.