If that chip, gap, or stain on your flawed smile has been a source of low self-esteem, cosmetic dentistry has a procedure to correct it: Veneer. It’s a thin shell that is custom-made to cover the front surface of the tooth or teeth and improve the appearance. It’s a method with permanent implications, and one should know everything about it to determine if it’s a suitable investment. Here’s a dental veneers guide to help you decide.
1. Dental Problems that Can be Improved
For teeth that are discolored and cannot be improved with whitening procedures, veneers are an effective way of correcting the imperfection. A chipped tooth can also be remedied, with its beauty and integrity restored. Veneers can give the appearance of a picture-perfect smile for uneven teeth or those with gaps.
2. Ideal Candidates for Treatment
People with generally healthy teeth and gums, but who want to improve their appearance due to cosmetic concerns, are the ones who’d go for veneers. Having good oral health is essential because gum disease or cavities need to be addressed first. Veneers are ideal only for people with minor issues with how their teeth look.
3. Situations Not Recommended
There are a number of dental conditions for which veneers are not advisable. The said problems have to be attended to beforehand. Veneers aren’t appropriate for teeth with severe decay, untreated cavities, or active gum disease. Damaging habits like nail-biting and teeth-grinding are not good for veneers as well.
4. Other Cosmetic Dental Options
Aside from the benefits of dental veneers, it’s important to know related cosmetic options available to patients. There’s Dental Bonding that only applies resin to hide chips or gaps, while veneers cover the front surface of teeth. Installing Crowns, on the other hand, means grinding down the affected tooth and encasing it with a cap that matches the other teeth. Finally, there’s Teeth Whitening for the removal of surface stains.
5. What to Expect During the Procedure
Two to three appointments are needed for a veneer operation. The dentist will take impressions and prepare the teeth after talking about your expectations during the first appointment. After a custom creation is made in about two weeks, the dentist carefully bonds it with the cleaned teeth to guarantee a comfortable bite.
6. Are They Right for You?
If your teeth and gums are fine, but you have imperfections like stains, a chip, gaps, or minor misalignments, then your best bet at improving that smile is veneers. For severe malocclusion (poor bite) and bad teeth, there are different remedies. A comprehensive consultation with the dentist for veneers is crucial.
7. Potential Risks and Limitations
While veneers are durable, they may chip, crack, or separate from the underlying teeth when subjected to severe stress. Those teeth, by the way, are sensitive to temperature. Even though stain-resistant, natural teeth aren’t, and a mismatch may eventually happen. Lastly, veneers need dental maintenance every 10-15 years.
The Final Verdict
Veneers are ultimately a lifetime dental commitment. Someone with healthy teeth who is looking to improve color, shape, or alignment must know what we’ve presented here as a dental veneers guide. The most important step one must now take is to have a thorough meeting with a cosmetic dentist. Reachout to us at Creekside Dental Excellence. Call 954-255-5166.
