What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers fall under the cosmetic dentistry category and are designed to permanently improve the appearance of your smile. They are wafer-thin, tooth-colored shells that are shaped and custom-made in a dental laboratory. They are then bonded to your teeth to give you a beautiful and flawless smile.
What to Expect for Your Veneers Procedure
The dental veneers procedure usually takes place over the course of two visits to the dental office. During the first visit, your teeth will be prepared. This involves light buffing and shaping of the surface of your teeth to prepare for bonding and the additional thickness of the shells that will be applied.
Impressions of your teeth will then be taken to provide a custom fitting. The correct shade to match surrounding teeth will also be chosen by your dentist, or for a full-mouth procedure, your dentist can help you to choose a shade based on your preference and the best match for your complexion to provide the most natural look. Your dentist may also place temporary veneers to protect and cover your prepared teeth while you wait for your second appointment.
The temporary veneers will be removed, and permanent ones bonded to your teeth at the subsequent appointment. As this is a permanent procedure that involves irreversible change to your natural teeth, we always begin the process with thorough consultation to ensure that this is the best option for you. For more information about veneers and how they can enhance your smile, please contact our dental office to schedule a consultation.
Both are considered cosmetic dentistry procedures involving custom fabrication, the primary difference between veneers and crowns is that the former only covers the front of the tooth whereas a dental crown covers the entire tooth to “cap” over it. Because of this difference, a dental crown also plays a functional role as well as a cosmetic, providing additional support to the tooth being treated. Therefore, if you have a cosmetic defect that has also weakened the tooth, a dental crown may be recommended by your dentist.
Dental crowns are also often used to cap a dental implant or a tooth that is weakened after root canal treatment to not only restore the tooth cosmetically but provide full functionality.
Contact our dental office today to see if you require veneers for your teeth.
FAQs About Dental Veneers
Are there different types?
Porcelain and resin-based composite are the two types that are currently available. Their difference is not only in the material used, but also the methods used during the procedure.
Porcelain veneers are considered the traditional type and require the traditional preparation for the tooth as described in the procedure section above. These are the more durable option, usually lasting upwards of 10 years and even up to 20 years with proper care.
The resin-based composite type require less enamel removal and sometimes can even be applied without removal of any enamel. While they are more budget friendly, they can also be more prone to staining, chipping, and breaking than the traditional kind. They typically only last around 5 years but are also easier to fix than their porcelain counterpart.
The procedure may also be used to treat a tooth that has been severely damaged due to some kind of trauma or injury.
What are some problems that can be corrected by veneers?
Veneers can be a solution for a variety of cosmetic defects and problems including stains and discoloration, misshapen teeth, teeth that are too large or too small, unwanted and uneven spacing between teeth, chipped or worn teeth, and crooked teeth.
Please note that cosmetic defects accompanied by damage that has weakened the tooth may require a dental crown, and severely crooked teeth may warrant orthodontic solutions such as braces.
How do I care for my new dental veneers?
Proper care for your brand-new smile is extremely important to ensure that it will last as long as possible. Always follow recommended care instructions given by your dentist and be sure to maintain proper oral hygiene practices. Brushing twice daily with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and regular visits to your dental office for checkups and teeth cleaning are key practices to enhance the longevity of your veneers.
If you have a history of grinding your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard. Also, be careful when biting down or chewing on hard or sticky foods, and avoid habits such as chewing pens or fingernails.
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Do you need dental veneers in Aurora CO? Contact our dental office for a consultation today!
