Dental Veneers are a Popular Choice For Smile Improvement
Our dentist may use one veneer to restore a single tooth that may have been fractured or discolored, or multiple teeth to create a “Hollywood” type of smile makeover.
Dental Veneers – A Simple Way to Improve Your Smile
Many people are discovering the many benefits of dental veneers. Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front part of the tooth. Your dentist at Distinctive Dentistry applies your veneers in a simple, comfortable process that takes just a few visits.
Whiter Front Teeth
Veneers can be a popular treatment option for many reasons. They are generally placed on the upper front facing teeth that are deeply discolored, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Veneers can be used to lighten the color of front teeth that are naturally yellow or gray which cannot be corrected or brought back to a natural white by dental teeth whitening.
Veneers can sometimes be used to correct the appearance of worn or cracked teeth. They can also fix uneven spaces or large, noticeable gaps in the upper front teeth.
Type of Veneers
There are generally two types of veneers: ceramic (porcelain) veneers or “laminates” and resin-based composite veneers.
Porcelain Ceramic Veneers
Porcelain ceramic veneers are very thin shells made of durable and strong dental ceramic. Your Distinctive Dentistry team will remove a small amount of enamel from the sides and front of your tooth. This is to make room for the veneer and to prevent the restored tooth from looking or feeling bulky to the patient.
The dentist next makes an impression of your prepared tooth so that the shape of the tooth and surrounding teeth can be replicated in the dental laboratory. Your dentist will choose the proper color to fit the surrounding teeth for as natural a look as possible. Creating the veneers may take 1 to 2 weeks.
At your next visit to Distinctive Dentistry, your dentist will place the veneers on your prepared teeth to check the shape and fit. After proper adjustments, the teeth are cleaned and the porcelain ceramic veneers are bonded to the teeth with strong dental cement. Any further adjustments may be completed at a follow-up appointment.
Resin-based Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are generally placed in just one appointment. First, your dentist and staff at Distinctive Dentistry will prepare the tooth by re-shaping it to fit the veneer. Your dentist then carefully bonds and sculpts the composite material in a color that best matches your surrounding teeth. A special light is then applied to harden the composite. Your dentist will smooth and polish the tooth to look just like your natural teeth. The process is similar to Dental Bonding.
Considerations for Choosing Veneers
Your teeth must be healthy and free from decay and periodontal disease. Typically, veneers require less removal of enamel than crowns. However, the process cannot be reversed once the enamel is removed.
Patients who grind their teeth and clench their jaws are not good candidates for veneers because the thin material may chip, peel or break. You must avoid biting your fingernails and chewing are hard objects, such as ice, hard candy, and pencils. As with any dental restoration, veneers can be dislodged over time and with wear. If this happens, new veneers may be needed. Discuss your treatment options and expectations with your Distinctive Dentistry doctor and staff. They will help you decide whether veneers are the right choice for you and your specific needs.
No specific maintenance or special needs are required other than practicing good oral hygiene every day to keep your veneers looking their best. It is crucial to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day to keep your mouth healthy and looking great.
At Distinctive Dentistry, we have exciting new biomaterials that can give your smile a lift without invasive treatments.
We create dental veneers that blend in with your natural teeth. People won’t notice your veneers, they’ll simply notice your beautiful, natural smile. To find out more, call us today.
