Do you look at the rich and famous and feel a little envious of their perfect smiles? Many celebrities have veneers to present the perfect smile on the screen and the red carpet.
Many people also benefit from veneers for a variety of reasons. They can help with discolored, worn down, chipped, misaligned, and irregularly shaped teeth.
Keep reading to decide if you’re interested in having a veneers procedure.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers provide custom sculpted thin shells that fit over your teeth. They cover tooth discoloration and malformations. Once in place, the semi-translucent look of veneers provides a natural appearance.
Types of Veneers
Veneers are available in several different designs.
Porcelain veneers create a thin shell with ceramics. This type of veneer attaches to the front surface of the teeth. They help cover cracks and discoloration.
Composite veneers, made from resin, often provide a temporary solution. These veneers are shaped and affixed to the front of the tooth. They serve to fill small gaps and broken teeth.
What to Expect During a Veneers Procedure?
Traditionally, the veneer procedure may require 2 visits over a course of six weeks. These visits may last several hours. They include comprehensive examinations and tooth preparation.
The dentist begins by checking for any oral health problems. He/she will correct any problems before veneer placement. Next, the dentist will guide you in selecting the best tooth color from a shade chart.
Once the plan is completed, the dentist will often give you a local anesthetic. Your natural tooth is then reshaped, as needed, using a tool called a bur.
Porcelain Veneers
To begin the process for porcelain veneers, the dentist makes an impression of your teeth. A mold is then made of your mouth. The mold may be sent to a dental laboratory that makes the veneers.
Some dentists now have dental laboratories in the office. This allows for a quicker turn around time for creating your veneers.
Some dentists even have computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM). This technology may allow the staff to make your veneers in one visit.
If an outside lab creates your veneers, you may receive temporary veneers while you wait. If you only need veneers for one or two teeth and you have enough enamel, your dentist may forgo the temporaries.
At your veneer placement appointment, the dentist will remove any temporaries. The final veneers are placed and adjusted to create a beautiful smile.
Composite Veneers
For composite resin veneers, the dentist applies the chosen shade of resin to your teeth. He/she shapes the resin and then hardens it with a high-intensity light. The dentist adds more layers until the veneer is the proper shape and length.
Following composite veneer placement, the final step involves polishing. The dentist uses the bur and polishers to create a natural-looking smile.
Whether you have temporary veneers or not, be aware that these teeth may be more temperature-sensitive. This occurs because the preparation phase requires removing some of the enamel.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Today’s veneers can last between 10 and 30 years. Just as veneers appear natural, they are also at risk for damage like normal teeth. If your veneer breaks or comes off, take the pieces to your dentist.
The dentist may be able to repair and reattach the veneer. If more significant damage occurred, you may need a crown or cosmetic bonding.
Do Veneers Require Special Care?
Following the placement of veneers, you must maintain a good oral hygiene regimen. This included regular dental visits and a healthy lifestyle. Not only does this help to keep your veneers in good shape, but it also prevents mouth diseases.
To prevent tooth decay, you must brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. While your veneers will not decay, your teeth are still at risk. If you develop cavities in the tooth, this can damage your veneer.
Do You Think You Want Veneers?
If you are considering getting veneers, it’s important to fully understand the procedure and outcome. Our practice wants all patients to make informed decisions before beginning a veneers procedure.
Our staff provides ongoing education about dental health and disease prevention. We routinely review your medical history, medications, and clinical condition. Oral health is an important part of total physical health.
Contact us today to ask questions and make an appointment.