Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that cover the front of your teeth. They can fix a variety of cosmetic issues and give you a stunning smile.
A cosmetic dentist will typically consult with you to see if veneers are the right solution. In some cases, your dentist will suggest you have orthodontic work done first to remove large gaps before adding veneers.
Damaged Enamel
A tooth’s enamel is strong and helps a tooth last a lifetime, but it can be jeopardized by a variety of factors. Eating a lot of acidic or sugary foods, teeth grinding or clenching, and some medications like tetracycline can damage your enamel. This can lead to the sensitivity of your teeth and even the loss of the tooth itself. Dental veneers are an effective way to fix the appearance of a damaged tooth and protect it from further damage.
Veneers are also popular for patients who want to hide discolored or chipped teeth, especially if these issues do not respond to whitening treatments. They can be made of porcelain, or composite resin – a combination of plastic and ceramic – and they come in a wide range of colors and shades to match your smile.
The main issue with dental veneers is that they can stain. This is most likely due to food like coffee or wine being left on the tooth for long periods of time, and it can’t be whitened once the staining has set in.
Another problem with dental veneers is that they are prone to breaking or chipping, just like natural teeth. Biting down on hard items like ice or pen caps, or chewing on a nail or piece of string can damage the veneers. In these cases, a dentist can either try to smooth out the rough patch of the veneer or they may have to replace it entirely.
Discolored Teeth
Besides fixing chipped and missing teeth, veneers can also mask discolored ones. Tooth discoloration is common but can be embarrassing to deal with. Discoloration occurs due to many reasons, including eating and drinking certain foods and beverages, trauma, disease treatments, and medication. Regardless of the cause, dental veneers can help improve your smile and your confidence.
During your first appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth to determine whether veneers are right for you. They will take X-rays or impressions of your teeth and mouth to ensure the best fit.
Once the dentist numbs you, they will remove a half-millimeter of your enamel to get accurate measurements for the veneers. They will then use these measurements to create a mold of your tooth or teeth and send it off to the lab to construct your veneers. Once they are ready, the dentist will schedule a return appointment to make sure the fit, shape, and color of your new veneers is perfect for you.
The dentist will sculpt and bond the composite resin to your teeth and adjust the color so it matches the rest of your smile. Composite veneers can be completed in one visit, whereas porcelain veneers typically require two visits to prepare and apply them. Both types are durable and last several years, but they are not reversible.
Crooked Teeth
Although veneers can camouflage a number of cosmetic issues, such as chips, gaps, and discoloration, they cannot fix severely crooked teeth. In order to properly straighten a smile, the dentist must remove some of the tooth’s natural structure. This can make the tooth feel different and cause sensitivity in some patients.
This is one reason that the dentist will evaluate the mouth and teeth to determine if they are a good candidate for veneers before they perform the procedure. During the initial consultation, they will take X-rays and impressions of the teeth. The dentist will also listen to the patient’s concerns and recommend the best options for a beautiful smile.
In addition, a person who is considering veneers should commit to avoiding habits that may damage the veneers, such as nail biting, teeth grinding (bruxism), and chewing on hard objects. These habits can put the veneers under too much stress and break them.
Overall, porcelain veneers are a great option for people who want to fix their crooked teeth and improve their smile. However, if the teeth are too damaged or have other problems, the dentist may prefer to use a crown instead. To learn more about your options for improving your smile, contact KFA Dental Excellence in Farmingdale, NY. The office can schedule an appointment for a consultation to see if porcelain veneers are the right solution for your smile.
Missing Teeth
If the tooth structure is too thin to support a veneer, it’s unlikely that a dentist can do anything to help it. In addition, a person may have issues with bruxism (teeth grinding), which can cause veneers to chip or break.
A dental veneer is a covering that will hide the front of your teeth, including the color and shape. When done correctly, it should look natural and blend into your smile. However, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of dental veneers before you undergo treatment.
One of the most common things that people experience with their veneers is that they don’t look natural. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as the veneers being too bright or the teeth looking too big. It’s important that we work with you to make sure that the veneers are the right size, shape, and color for your mouth.
Generally, there will be little or no discomfort during the veneering process. The doctor will typically only remove a small amount of the surface of your tooth to allow for the shell to be applied. Once your teeth are numb, the dentist can complete the procedure fairly quickly. In many cases, the dentist can do a full set of veneers in just two appointments. In more extensive cases, we may need to schedule additional appointments to ensure that the veneers are properly bonded and adjusted for symmetry.