Dental veneers are thin custom made shells that cover the front surface of your tooth to improve their appearance. They are made of tooth colored materials and can be used to improve the color of teeth that have been worn down or stained. Alternatively, they can be used to improve the shape or size of the tooth.
Types of veneers
There are two types of veneers that are commonly used. Porcelain veneers are more durable, and resist stains better. The properties of the material also helps to create a very natural tooth look. Unlike porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers are not made in a laboratory, but instead directly applied to the teeth. They typically have a shorter life span, and are less expensive.
When should you consider dental veneers?
Talk to your dentist about dental veneers if…
- Your teeth are stained or discolored
- Your teeth are crooked or misshaped
- Your teeth have spaces between them
- Your teeth are broken or chipped
How it’s done
Two visits to your dentist are typically required for porcelain veneers. At the first visit, three important steps are completed. Firstly, your teeth are prepared to be fitted with a veneer, which will involve trimming a portion of the tooth so the veneer can be bonded on top. Secondly, an impression is taken of your tooth which will be sent to a laboratory to prepare the veneer. Finally, you may receive a temporary veneer depending on how much of your tooth structure was removed. This temporary veneer will protect your tooth while the permanent veneer is prepared at the laboratory.
At the second visit, the temporary veneer, if you received one, will be removed. Then, the new veneer received from the laboratory will be checked to see if it fits well. It’s best not to adjust porcelain veneers after they are bonded to your teeth, so any adjustments will be made beforehand. Once you and the dentist are satisfied with the look and feel of the veneer, it will be bonded to your tooth.
Benefits of Veneers
- Telling the difference between veneers and natural looking teeth is extremely difficult. This is because each veneer is custom-shaped to the patients real tooth.
- Veneers serve as a protecting layer that defends your teeth from many of the common items that often cause issues such as coffee, tea, etc. This is a great solution for teeth that tend to reject alternative methods of whitening.
- Only a small amount of your natural tooth needs to be removed for the veneer to nicely contour to your natural tooth as opposed to crowns.
Veneer Maintenance
Dental Veneers do require regular maintenance both inside and outside the dentist office. Brushing and flossing as you would ordinarily is always recommended. Your dentist will likely suggest a particular type of toothpaste and fluoride for ongoing optimal results. Follow-up appointments can be expected shortly after you receive your veneers to make sure everything is going according to plan. Long-term requirements suggest you visit your dentist consistently for polishing and examination.
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Resources
“Porcelain Veneers | American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.” Porcelain Veneers | American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2015
