If you have discoloured teeth that won’t respond well to whitening treatments, chipped or crooked teeth, or other imperfections, you may be wondering what you can do to correct them.
Dental veneers are a good solution for several cosmetic concerns. These thin shells are cemented onto your teeth, to cover a range of imperfections. They will look like natural teeth, but whiter and more aesthetically shaped. If you have only a single tooth that concerns you, the veneer can be colour-matched to your existing teeth.
When Are Veneers Used?
A dental veneer procedure can be used to cover a wide range of imperfections, and is useful for those who have a couple of different concerns, as the one treatment will correct the different issues at the same time. Dental veneers cost less than some other treatments for certain issues, too, so this may be a factor in making a decision.
Worn or Misshapen Teeth
If you are concerned about the appearance of bumpy, misshapen, overly worn, or uneven teeth, a cosmetic dentist may suggest veneers.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Dental veneers cover chipped and broken teeth to restore an even, undamaged appearance.
Tooth Colour
Veneers are great for covering stains and yellow teeth, especially as they are effective whatever the cause of the discolouration. Cosmetic dentists may recommend dental veneers for people who aren’t good candidates for teeth whitening, including those with several restorations, those with yellow teeth due to worn enamel, or those whose teeth are discoloured from medications.
Misaligned Teeth and Gaps
This cosmetic procedure will hide minor gaps, crowdedness, and misaligned teeth. Significant misalignment should be corrected through orthodontics, however.
Dental Veneers Procedure
There is a shorter recovery period with the dental veneers procedure, compared to many restorative and cosmetic procedures.
Your dentist will have an initial consultation with you to see if you’re a good candidate for veneers, and that they will address your concerns. The type of dental veneer will be determined, too. Other work may need to be scheduled first, such as braces or invisible aligners to correct very crooked teeth, and fillings for any cavities.
Composite Veneers
Composite resin veneers are made of resin composite materials which are tooth coloured.
The front surface of your teeth will be etched, and thin layers of the composite material are applied to each tooth. Each layer is cured by an LED light, and more layers added until the desired effect is achieved.
Composite veneers cost less than porcelain ones, and are easier to repair if chipped.
Traditional Porcelain Veneers
These veneers look most like natural teeth, because of the translucent nature of porcelain. These are made in a dental laboratory for a custom fit.
A thin layer of tooth enamel is removed, and a mold of your mouth is sent to the lab. Temporary dental veneers are placed until the permanent ones can be cemented on during a second visit to the dental office.
Porcelain veneers resist stains and chips better than composite veneers.
No Prep Veneers
No prep veneers are the thinnest of dental veneers. The tooth enamel does not need to be prepped or shaved down, and no anesthetic is needed. These are done in a single appointment, so temporary veneers aren’t needed.
After the Procedure
Any extra cement is removed, and your dentist will confirm that everything has been fitted properly, making any adjustments. A follow-up visit will be needed to check on them. You may have a rough sensation from the cement; your dentist can smooth this out, but most roughness goes away after a couple of days.
You can eat once the numbness of the anesthetic is gone. You don’t need to do anything special to care for your veneers. You simply brush and floss your teeth as normal. You can still get tooth decay, so it’s important to still practice good oral hygiene. Avoid using your teeth to open things and biting on hard surfaces to make your veneers last longer. If you grind your teeth at night or play sports, you should get a mouth guard to protect your veneers.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers not only correct a wide range of concerns, but they can cover multiple dental issues in a single cosmetic procedure. You can have a whiter smile, and have imperfections like chips or crookedness corrected. Veneers have a highly natural appearance.
If cared for properly, veneers last for years, for a relatively cost-effective procedure, compared to some other procedures.
Since porcelain veneers are stain resistant, you don’t need ongoing whitening treatments. Veneers are stronger than cosmetic crowns, don’t need to be shaped like crowns do, and have a better aesthetic.
If you’re interested in dental veneers, contact the Orchard Park Dental team for an initial appointment to discuss whether veneers are right for you.
