Dental veneers are a type of cosmetic treatment that can significantly alter your smile. They are thin porcelain shells or resin that a dentist will apply to the front of your teeth. Whether it is for one tooth or many, dental veneers can transform your smile into the smile of your dreams.
What Are They For?
You can use dental veneers to correct a variety of problems.
If you have a chipped or broken tooth, your dentist can use a dental veneer to restore your tooth. As long as the chip or break isn’t too damaging, a veneer can fix your issue.
Many people want a bright, white smile, so they use any number of whitening treatments. However, you cannot treat some discoloration issues with at-home whitening kits. Even professional whitening has some limitations for discoloration.
Unfortunately, trauma, some medications, or health issues can significantly alter the color of your teeth. For example, trauma to a tooth can cause it to turn brown or black. A whitening treatment can’t lift the color, so you can use a dental veneer instead.
Another use for dental veneers is to give you a symmetrical smile. Some patients have teeth that are smaller than average. While this doesn’t carry any health issues, it is normal for a patient to desire more prominent teeth. So, dental veneers can give a new shape to your smile.
What Is The Process?
Before you begin the veneer process, your dentist will take x-rays of your mouth and teeth. This is to ensure that you have no dental issues. Once you are clear, your dentist will move forward.
First, your dentist will take a mold of your teeth in order to create the veneers. It may take a week or so for your veneers to return from the lab. When the veneers are done, your dentist will evaluate their shape, making sure that they are perfect for you.
Then, you will come in for the placement. You will need a thorough cleaning to make sure that there are no bacteria left under the dental veneers. In order to place the veneers properly, your dentist will need to grind down a portion of the front of your tooth. They must do this to create a flush placement.
Finally, they will use a special dental cement to hold the veneer in place. Your dentist will cure it using an ultraviolet light. Barring no issues, your dental veneers should last about ten years or longer.
More Dental Veneer Information
Receiving dental veneers is a permanent process because your dentist must remove part of your enamel. Neither you nor your dentist can reverse this process. You will always need veneers or some dental appliance.
You will want to avoid chewing hard objects or food so that you don’t crack or chip your veneer.
To avoid chipping a veneer, you should wear a mouthguard. You may also want to consider wearing a mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth.