If you have a habit of hiding your teeth or offering a closed-mouth grin in photos, dental veneers might be just the thing to make you smile. Whether the issue is a bothersome gap, a crooked tooth, or discoloration, veneers offer a solution that’s far less invasive than crowns or braces.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are slim pieces of porcelain or composite resin that resemble natural teeth. When bonded to a tooth, this customized shell covers and corrects chips or stains. Dentists can also treat severe wear, enamel erosion, and other dental problems with veneers.
How do Veneers Work?
Veneers change the color, size, and shape of a tooth. Veneers fix minor orthodontic concerns such as slightly overlapped incisors or broken teeth. Since the procedure involves removing some enamel, which doesn’t grow back, the process is irreversible.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are lab-made, and the procedure involves several appointments. However, the result is so natural looking that it can be difficult to distinguish between a healthy, untreated tooth and a porcelain veneer.
The process begins with removing some enamel from the front and sides of the tooth. Afterward, the dentist takes a mouth impression to ensure a perfect fit. Patients then wear temporary veneers until the porcelain ones arrive. It may take the lab a week or two to make them.
When the new porcelain veneers are ready, the first step is to check the fit and color, making adjustments as needed. The dentist will then clean and etch the tooth before applying resin to the veneer. Finally, a UV light cures the resin, adhering the porcelain to the surface.
Porcelain veneers are strong, stain-resistant and are viable for up to 20 years.
Aftercare
After getting veneers, a follow-up appointment may be necessary to ensure that the gums are responding well to the composite resin or porcelain. Some patients experience sensitivity to hot or cold beverages, but the sensation usually fades after a few days.
Porcelain veneers don’t require any special care. Of course, limiting sugar as well as acidic food and drink is always smart, since the teeth under veneers are still subject to decay and cavities. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and getting regular cleanings are all patients need to do to protect them.
If you’d like to find out more about porcelain veneers and see if they’re right for you, contact Hassey Dental to schedule an appointment. Our expert staff will help you explore all of your options and set you on the path to a confident, beautiful smile.
