Life is much better when you wear a beautiful, healthy smile. Unfortunately, a perfect smile is the product of dreams for some people. Imperfections like chips, cracks, and widespread discoloration could do a number on your smile, not to mention your confidence. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Cosmetic devices like veneers can hide these imperfections, giving you a beautiful smile and boosting your self-esteem to face the world confidently. Below, we’ll be highlighting everything you need to know about veneers to help you make an informed decision on whether you should get them. Let’s dive right into it.
Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that mimic your tooth’s shape and color. These caps sit in front of your teeth to hide chips, cracks, staining, and large gaps between adjacent teeth. Dentists permanently bond these veneers to the surface of your teeth with dental cement to cover a single or multiple teeth.
Dentists usually place veneers on teeth in two separate sessions. The first involves taking impressions of your teeth, and the second entails attaching the veneers to the teeth. Here’s a brief breakdown of the veneer placement process.
The first step in veneer treatment involves a consultation with the dentist in charge of the procedure. During the consultation, the dentist will evaluate the extent of teeth damage and determine whether veneers are a suitable solution. If so, they’ll create a treatment plan outlining the steps, treatments, and medication details.
With the treatment plan ready, the dentist will prepare the teeth by shaving about a millimeter-thin layer of the enamel. This creates space for the veneers to fit properly on the teeth. Next, the dentist will press dental putty on the teeth to create molds or impressions of your teeth. These are later sent to a lab to create custom veneers to your specifications.
Skilled technicians in an external lab will craft your veneers and send them to the dentist after about two weeks. The dentist will schedule another appointment to place the veneers on your teeth. Placement involves applying dental cement on the teeth and then placing the veneers. The dentist will then use a special blue light to cure it. After a few finishing touches, the dentist will send you home with instructions for taking care of your new veneers.
Patients can opt for different types of veneers, but the final decision rests on the dentist. The common types of veneers include:
The suitability of dental veneers depends on your dental condition. Dentists will recommend this cosmetic work for people with fractured and cracked teeth. It’s also suitable for people with heavy tooth discoloration resistant to teeth whitening. However, individuals with extensive dental decay, oral health issues, and bruxism may not qualify for veneers.
If you’ve been mulling over getting veneers, the perfect time to do so is now. Talk to Sparta Family Dentistry today, and we’ll schedule an appointment for your veneers immediately. Your dream smile awaits!
