Will porcelain veneers look like my natural teeth?

If done correctly, veneers should look better than your natural teeth. The veneer should have similar characteristics as your own teeth. They should reflect light the same way and have some translucency within the restoration to give them life-like features.

Does a veneer protect the tooth from decay?

The well glossed surface of the veneer cannot decay. However, where the veneer and your own tooth meet, can decay. Therefore, it is very important to keep that junction very clean. This is also important to prevent staining at this interface.

What is the average cost of a veneer?

This obviously will vary from office to office and your location. The general range would be anywhere from $700-1500 a tooth. I would see if the dentist has any before and after photos to show you of their work. You need to be comfortable and confident that the results will be worth the investment.

Do Veneers cause any risk to a tooth' s structure?

Veneers are not a reversible procedure. Each case varies, but you do have to remove enough tooth structure to allow the veneer to look natural. Some cases only require a minimum amount to make the smile improved. The procedure does require removing some enamel, so therefore some tooth structure is lost. However, the veneer gets bonded back onto the tooth to protect it.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

The generic answer is anywhere from 5-20 years. It all varies from person to person. If someone smokes, then the gums might recede and the junction where the veneer and the tooth meet, might get discolored faster. If a person does not return to the office for routine hygiene and follow up appointments, then the veneers might need to be replaced sooner as well. If the person takes good care of the veneers, then they can last a long time. As with a car, it depends on if the oil is changed, how aggressively the person drives, etc. on how long it will last.