Veneers are one of the most common and most popular dental techniques used to improve the appearance of a smile. You may have some questions—What are veneers? What do you need to know about them? Are they right for you? Here’s a guide to dental veneers to answer all your questions.
What are veneers and when are they used?
A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite resin that’s bonded to the tooth’s surface. Because it only covers the outer surface, a large amount of the natural tooth structure is preserved, which is a good thing for your mouth’s long-term health.
Veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth and are great for creating an attractive, natural-looking smile. Patients may be surprised at how veneers make them look instantly younger, too. They’re a good choice for patients looking to fix chipped, cracked, discolored, or misshapen teeth. They can even be used to close small gaps between teeth.
What to know about getting veneers
Veneers are not painful. The procedure for getting veneers typically causes little to no pain, and any pain or tenderness that is present can be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
Veneers don’t require excessive grinding away of the tooth. This is a common misconception about veneers – that the tooth must be ground down significantly before the veneer can be attached. This simply isn’t true. We do need to shape the surface of the tooth first, but the amount of enamel removed is very small, usually less than a millimeter.
Veneers can last a very long time. Veneers can last 10-15 years or even longer before needing replacement.
Choice of color is important. Veneers come in a range of white shades and selecting the right one for you is important. I recommend considering your complexion and eye color and even looking at the whites of your eyes. Your teeth shouldn’t be much whiter than the whites of your eyes, or they’ll stand out too much.
When veneers are not the right choice
While veneers are a great option for many people, there are cases where they’re not the best choice.
Since veneers improve the outer surface of the teeth only, they should not be used on teeth with more extensive damage. In these cases, alternatives like crowns, implants, bridges, and dentures should be used instead.
Also, veneers only last as long and look as good as they should if they’re affixed to teeth in a healthy mouth. A bad bite or bruxism (tooth grinding) can wear them out prematurely, so make sure to have these issues addressed before getting veneers.
Are veneers right for you?
If your teeth are healthy but you’re looking to take it one step further, veneers might be a good option for you. They can make an enormous difference in appearance, not just of the teeth themselves, but of the whole face and even the whole person. Many patients of mine are so thrilled with the results, the only regret they have is not having them done sooner! If you’ve been considering veneers for a while, take the next step and talk to your dentist about them. It could be the best gift you ever give yourself.
If you think it may be time to invest in your smile, learn about our veneer services on our website!