If gaps, stains, or other dental imperfections are affecting your smile and your self-confidence, you might want to consider getting veneers.
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made, tooth-colored shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth and improve your appearance. Veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth, changing their color, shape, size, and/or length.
Veneers are used for numerous reasons.
They can be used on teeth that have been discolored due to root canal treatment, stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride, or large resin fillings.
They can also be used on teeth that are worn down, chipped, broken, crooked, uneven, oddly shaped, or have gaps between them.
Everybody deserves a better smile, and there are numerous types of veneers that can help you improve yours.
TYPES OF VENEERS
Veneers are made from ceramic or porcelain materials, and come in different varieties
to meet your specific needs. Your dentist can help you decide which type is right for you.
Ceramic Veneers: Often called composite veneers, ceramic veneers are popular due to
their lower cost and quick application, as they don’t require your dentist to shave down
your teeth before installing them. They last up to 7 years, but can stain over time and
are less effective than porcelain veneers when it comes to addressing significant gaps
between your teeth or significant discoloration. Ceramic veneers with added porcelain
are slightly more durable,
Porcelain Veneers: Layered porcelain veneers can give you the highest cosmetic
outcome by resisting stains better than other options and emulating the light-reflecting
features of natural teeth. While they cost more than ceramic veneers, they also last up
to 20 years. While porcelain veneers require a layer of enamel to be stripped from your
existing teeth and take a bit longer to install, they also stay in place better than other
veneers.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Getting veneers can require up to three trips to the dentist.
Your first visit will be a consultation to make sure which veneers are a good option for
you. Your dentist will examine your teeth, discuss the procedure, and take X-rays. He
may also make impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Next, your dentist will numb the area around your teeth and reshape the surface of your
teeth to get them ready for veneers. In the case of porcelain veneers, this requires
removing an amount roughly equal to the thickness of the veneers that will be added.
He will then make a model of your teeth, which will be sent to the laboratory that will
make your veneers. You can wear temporary veneers until your permanent ones are
ready.
The last step is bonding.
When your veneers are ready to be installed, your dentist will first place them on your
teeth to check the fit and color. He’ll then remove and trim them until they fit properly.
Your dentist will then clean, polish, and etch — or roughen — your teeth to help make
sure your teeth are ready to bond with your veneers. Next, he will apply cement to the
veneers and then place the veneers on your teeth. The same cement can be used to
adjust the color of your veneers, and it will dry and harden very quickly with the use of a
special light beam.
Finally, your dentist will check your bite, remove any excess cement, and make any
last-minute adjustments. He may also request that you come back for a follow-up visit in
a couple of weeks to make sure your veneers haven’t shifted and aren’t disturbing your
gums. He will also give you tips to help keep your new smile looking new for years to
come.
The Mint Dental uses Japanese porcelain veneers from premiere labs in New York City,
where cosmetic dentistry was founded and where Dr. Armstrong studied. Contact us
today to make an appointment to learn more about how veneers can transform your
smile.
