Are you feeling self-conscious about your smile? Dental veneers are an easy and straightforward solution to get the look of perfect teeth, without any of the hassle. Rather than complex and lengthy procedures such as dental braces or crowns, dental veneers are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can give you natural-looking, beautiful results in no time at all. Get ready to show off your new smile with the help of dental veneers!

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are designed to fit over your existing teeth. They can improve the appearance of your smile by covering flaws such as crooked, gapped, chipped, discolored, and misshapen teeth. Veneers are custom-made for each individual patient to ensure a perfect fit and look.

Who Needs Veneers?

Anyone who wants to enhance the appearance of their smile can explore veneers. These dental restorations can camouflage:

• Chipped or broken teeth.
• Diastema (gaps or spaces in your smile).
• Stains that don’t improve with teeth whitening.
• Teeth that are too small.
• Misshapen teeth.

It’s important to note that veneers are only an option if you’re free of extensive cavities and gum disease. If you have serious oral health issues, you should address those first before exploring cosmetic treatments.

What Are the Benefits of Veneers?

Dental veneers can give you the smile of your dreams in just a few simple appointments. Here are some of the benefits to be gained from them:

• A natural-looking, beautiful smile
• Instant and dramatic results
• Protection for damaged teeth
• No need for orthodontics
• A long-lasting solution to your smile concerns

It’s important to know that veneers are not a permanent solution; they do need to be replaced every few years.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

When you come in for your veneers appointment, your dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and gums before proceeding with the treatment. They may also take X-rays and other diagnostic images to make sure there are no underlying issues.

During this appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are right for you and discuss the procedure and some of its limits. They may take X-rays and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.

The Prep

To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will reshape the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. You and your dentist will decide whether they numb the area before trimming off the enamel. Next, your dentist will make a model, or impression, of your tooth. We send the model out to a dental laboratory. Then, they make your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the veneers to come back from the laboratory. Temporary dental veneers can be used in the meantime.

The Bonding

Your dentist will place the veneer on your tooth to examine its fit and color, repeatedly removing and trimming the veneer to achieve the proper fit, before permanently cementing it to your tooth. The veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched. Etching roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process.

We then apply a special cement to the veneer and place it on your tooth. Once the veneer is properly positioned, your dentist will shine a special light beam on it to activate chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, checking your bite and making any needed adjustments. Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check your gums and the veneer’s placement.

After Care

Traditional porcelain veneers typically last at least 10 years, with some research suggesting that they can sometimes last as long as 20 years. Taking certain precautions can help make sure that you get the longest lifespan out of them as possible. These precautions include:

• Don’t chew on hard objects like pens, ice, or your fingernails.
• Never use your teeth to open packaging.
• Try not to chew with your front teeth. Eat harder foods with your back teeth only; cut up hard foods so that this is possible.
• If you grind or clench your teeth at night, get a splint or retainer to protect your veneers.
• If you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard.
• If you grind or clench your teeth, you should get a mouth guard or retainer.

Make an Appointment with Premier Dentistry of Eagle

If you’ve been dreaming of a brighter, more beautiful smile, dental veneers could be the perfect solution for you. At Premier Dentistry of Eagle, we are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest quality care and personalized service. Contact us today to learn more about dental veneers and if they are right for you!