Everyone deserves a smile that they can feel confident in. However, over half of Americans feel insecure about their teeth, going out of their way to hide their smiles. If you have chipped, stained, or gaps in your teeth, we have the perfect solution for you.
Veneers can help you restore and enhance your smile. This type of treatment is newer compared to crowns and dental fillings. That’s why we’ve created this guide for anyone interested in getting veneers.
So, how do veneers work, and is it the right choice for you? Read on to uncover the secret to obtaining the perfect smile.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells that go on top of your natural tooth. Each shell covering is custom-made to fit every tooth, giving every patient a unique smile. Veneers can come in different shapes, sizes, and even colors to improve the appearance of your natural teeth.
Through these customization options, you can create a more uniform appearance. This will help you hide any dental issues, like dental damage or discoloration. Your dentist can also color-match your teeth for a more natural result.
While veneers can help bridge small gaps in your teeth, they won’t work if you have missing teeth. They also can’t help with more severe dental issues, like bite problems.
Design Your Perfect Smile
Getting veneers starts with a treatment plan with your orthodontist. Your dentist must first conclude whether you’re a viable candidate for veneers. They will assess your dental health and may take x-rays or make impressions of your teeth.
This will help in the next step, which is designing your new smile. You and your dentist will discuss what your ideal smile looks like. You may choose the veneer shape and material during this step.
Trial-Run Your New Smile
Once you’re satisfied with the design of your veneers, your dentist will give you the opportunity to try them. The initial design may look good at first, but you may find that they’re not to your liking once you have them on. Your dentist wants to help you achieve the perfect smile, so a trial will help you decide if you love them or not.
Veneers can last up to 20 years, depending on the material, so you want to ensure you’re ready for the commitment. Temporary veneers will also enable you to acclimate yourself to the new feeling and appearance of your teeth. If you have any concerns, you can discuss them with your dentist, and they will make the adjustments.
Prep Your Teeth
Before applying the veneers, your dentist will first clean your teeth. This gives the veneers a clean slate and a better chance of adhering to your teeth. Depending on the state of your teeth, your dentist will trim off some of your tooth’s enamel.
This may be about half a millimeter or about the thickness of your new veneers. Your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area before trimming. Your dentist will then make an impression of your teeth and send it to a lab to construct your new smile.
This process may last between two to four weeks.
Bonding
Once your dentist has gotten the veneers from the lab, they will first place it on your tooth to examine the fit and color. They may adjust or trim the shell covering to help it fit better. They can also adjust the color and shade using colored cement.
When that’s done, they will then permanently bond the veneer to your tooth. Dental bonding requires the dentist to etch your tooth to help solidify the bond. Your dentist will use a special cement and activate it with a special light beam.
As your dentist applies the veneers, they will check your bite and remove any excess cement. They may also request that you come back for a follow-up so they can see how gums are adjusting to your veneers.
Types of Veneers
Veneers can come in a variety of materials. The material you choose for your veneers will affect the final appearance, longevity, and price. Here are some of the most common dental veneer materials.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers consist of acrylic resin molded from glass, carbon, and boron fibers. These veneers are much more affordable than other options. However, they also have a shorter lifespan and are more prone to staining.
Composite veneers can help you correct minor dental imperfections. They are also reversible, so you can get them removed whenever you desire.
Ceramic or Porcelain Veneers
Ceramic or porcelain veneers are the most popular materials due to their natural appearance and high durability. These veneers are the easiest to customize, so you can make your veneers look like your natural teeth. Ceramic veneers are stain-resistant but also more expensive than composite veneers.
There are also different types of ceramic veneers, including zirconium, ultra-thin, and lithium disilicate.
Zirconium Veneers
Zirconium veneers are more flexible and resistant to staining. These veneers are slightly thicker than ultra-thin veneers. The teeth may need more treatment before placement as the results may vary.
Ultra-Thin Veneers
Ultra-thin veneers consist of injected porcelain. This is a good option for patients who don’t want to alter the shape of their original tooth.
Lithium Disilicate Veneers
Lithium disilicate consists of glass and ceramic. This material is also often used in other dental procedures like crows and dentures. Lithium disilicate veneers have better cementation and are the most durable material for veneers.
Explore Your Dental Treatment Options With Dr. Anderson
How do veneers work? Veneers are a great way to enhance your smile and conceal any gaps, chips, or discoloration in your teeth. Patients can customize them to their heart’s desire.
However, if you’re looking to improve the appearance of your smile, there are other options like teeth whitening. Dr. Anderson and his team have been helping patients all over Santa Rosa enhance their smiles and preserve their oral health.
Schedule an appointment today and find out whether a dental veneer procedure is right for you!
