Dental veneers make an outstanding choice for many patients who want to improve their smile due to problems like cracks, chips or stains. However, veneers are not for everyone. Before settling upon a cosmetic dental treatment, you must carefully weigh your options to determine if it makes sense for you and your individual situation.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are a thin layer of material, such as composite or porcelain, that is placed over the surfaces of teeth to conceal cosmetic issues. The composite form of dental veneers is a reversible treatment, while porcelain is a permanent one.
Benefits include:
- Look and feel natural
- Conceals chips, gaps or cracks
- No special maintenance or care required
What types of dental veneers are available?
Dental veneers come in two different types: composite and porcelain. The type that works best for you can be determined at your initial consultation with your dentist.
Composite Veneers
Your dentist applies composite veneers using a type of putty or paste called composite resin, which is also used in dental bonding procedures. They apply this composite in layers. Once enough material has been applied, they will mold and polish it to closely resemble the rest of your teeth.
The main advantage of composite veneers is the fact that they can improve your smile without the need for the removal of any tooth structure. They are also less expensive than porcelain veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain provides a very strong material that is also highly stain resistant. To receive porcelain veneers, your dentist must first remove a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for your veneers. You may receive temporary veneers while your permanent ones are being manufactured in a dental lab.
Next, you will return for a subsequent appointment to have your temporary veneers removed and your permanent porcelain veneers placed. Your dentist will carefully bond each porcelain veneer to the surface of your teeth.
Is the procedure right for you?
It’s important to understand that dental veneers do not actually correct structural problems; instead, they provide an aesthetic improvement to your smile by camouflaging issues like gaps between teeth and uneven surfaces. Since problems like these don’t pose a risk to your dental health, there may be no reason to go about correcting them. In that case, you may want to go ahead and improve your smile by concealing these problems.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Ultimately, the determination of whether you would make a good candidate for the procedure can be made at your consultation with your dentist. If you would like to receive more information about dental veneers, please schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
