Are you suffering from teeth that have gaps, stains, or chips in them? You may be self-conscious about your smile and want to do something to fix the issues but don't know what to do. The great news is that you can have dental veneers placed in your mouth to correct any imperfections. It isn't a decision to take lightly, though. The veneers are considered a permanent solution and can't be taken out without a lot of pain and money. The cost of getting them placed is also a big factor in making the decision to get the veneers. This guide will walk you through what types of veneers you can get, the benefits, and everything else you need to know to make an informed decision:

What are veneers?

Veneers are a small piece of material that is used to look like the original tooth. They are made out of a material strong enough to add protection and strength to the teeth and enamel. There are a few different types of veneers that you can get:

• Zirconia: Zirconia veneers are used for patients with extremely damaged or decayed teeth. They are a lot stronger than traditional veneers and give some structural support back to the tooth. The zirconia provides protection against premature wear so it is very durable. This veneer can be used for dental implants and dental crowns.

• Composite Resin: The composite resin veneers are one of the cheapest veneers to get, but still provide the same protection and concealment like traditional veneers. The life expectancy of the veneers is not as long, however. The composite veneers require very little preparation or even no preparation in some cases before they are installed on the teeth.

• Porcelain: Porcelain or traditional veneers are the most commonly used veneers. They are made out of a thin porcelain that is molded to your teeth and creates the appearance of a natural tooth. Porcelain veneers are hand-layered and blended in a way that they even catch the light just like a normal tooth, so no one will know you have veneers. They are durable and require little preparation work.

• Lumineers: Lumineers are made out of porcelain as well, but the treatment is different. Lumineers will completely restore your tooth and requires no preparation work in most cases. The Lumineers are much thinner than traditional porcelain veneers and can be placed without any injections or drilling.

• CEREC: CEREC, or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, designs and creates custom veneers right in the dentist office. This cuts out the middleman so you don't have to wait for your veneers to be created in a lab and then sent back to the dentist office. CEREC veneers are created using a special 3D software and can be finished within minutes. The downside is that not all offices have the software and the cost is considerably higher than other types of veneers.

Considerations

So you see, there are many different veneers that you can pick from. The choice is between you and your dentist. They may be able to guide you in the right direction depending on your budget, insurance, and the type of restoration that is required.