Having natural teeth that do not look perfect can have a negative impact on most people. It can cause them to lose confidence and even avoid public appearances to save themselves from feeling embarrassed.
Thankfully, if your natural teeth are not doing the job, you can always get dental veneers. If you have been refraining from showing your smile to the world, then you can finally come out of the shadows by getting teeth veneers installed.
Dental veneers are not just for people who have misshapen teeth. People who have bad-colored teeth that simply do not get better from teeth whitening or bleaching can also benefit from teeth veneers. Basically, any broken or chipped tooth, uneven teeth, discolored teeth, or worn-out teeth can be fixed by using dental veneers.
If you are someone who is facing any of these problems, then this guide is a must-read for you. Let us walk you through everything that you need to know about dental veneers and the dental veneer procedure. You should be fully ready for veneer placement after reading this comprehensive guide.
Introduction to Teeth Veneers
Dental veneers are thin covers or shells that you add to your natural teeth to improve their appearance. They come in two options, porcelain veneers and composite veneers. Dental veneers are custom-made to match the overall look of your teeth so that they can blend in perfectly while improving your look.
Most people get dental veneers to address problems like chipped teeth, broken teeth, or stained teeth. In some cases, people used porcelain veneers or composite veneers to cover up the effects of other treatments as well like drug treatments or root canals.
Visual Outlook of Dental Veneers
In essence, dental veneers are made to look like better versions of your natural teeth. At least this is the case if you get good quality custom veneers from a reliable dentist’s office like Sunny Isles Dental.
The purpose of custom-made shells is to make sure that your teeth do not change their overall look and continue to give a natural look but with an enhanced level of beauty. The snap-on veneers allow you to hide any disfiguration in your teeth and bring evenness and uniformity to your smile. They are non-invasive in nature and only stick to the visible front surface of your teeth.
The Function of Teeth Veneers as Natural Teeth Enhancers
The function of any veneer placement is to provide an extremely thin layer of coverage on top of your tooth surface, which may be looking undesirable for any number of reasons.
Typical Thickness of Veneers
Typically, you can expect this layer to be anywhere between 0-3 to 0.5 millimeters in thickness. Such a thin layer covering your entire tooth means that you not only get to retain complete nerve function but also adhere to the natural tooth structure.
Furthermore, this also allows your dentist to retain the ability to remove them if and when needed. Most dentist offices also offer removable veneers these days to make sure you are not stuck with the same shade forever.
The Two Main Dental Veneer Types
For most people, there are two main dental veneer options to choose from and these are porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
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Porcelain Veneers
Traditional porcelain veneers are the most common type of dental veneers in cosmetic dentistry that you can find and they suit the needs of most patients. Calling them traditional veneers because they have been in use the longest, as the other option came along a lot later.
These provide excellent shine and last a long time, as long as you get ones made by a good dental laboratory. A good quality porcelain veneer is pretty much impossible to differentiate from a normal healthy-looking tooth.
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Composite Veneers
This is a less expensive option as compared to porcelain veneers in cosmetic dentistry and are a great alternative for people who do not want to spend too much money on cosmetic dental procedures. These are also referred to as composite resin veneers, as they use resin as one of their key ingredients.
Of course, choosing this option may also be due to the recommendation from your dentist and you can discuss your options with them in detail for the best decision.
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Other Options
Apart from these two options, you may also get what is called no prep veneers or temporary veneers. You can think of these as a kind of contact lens, but for your teeth.
However, one thing you need to keep in mind is that unlike porcelain or composite resin veneers, these are not custom-made. That means the shade you get may be a bit different from that of your natural tooth enamel.
Furthermore, this option cannot be used by people who have chipped teeth or require any sort of tooth preparation.
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Always Ask for Options
We still recommend asking your dentist about no prep veneers along with regular treatments to make sure the option does get presented to you.
Who Provides Good Quality Veneers?
Most dentists out there offer both permanent veneers and removable veneers to their patients. The process is simple and is therefore widely offered.
However, if you end up with a dentist who does not have access to a good dental laboratory, you may be referred to a more qualified dentist for a proper cosmetic procedure.
You can choose pretty much any dentist you want, but for the best service quality, we suggest checking out Sunny Isles Dental for getting composite or porcelain veneers or any cosmetic procedures, for that matter.
When Should You Consider Getting Veneers?
For most people, this decision is purely an aesthetic one. If you do not have sufficient tooth enamel, if you are facing tooth sensitivity, or are simply not satisfied with your look and want a symmetrical smile, veneers are an excellent option to go for.
Veneers are also a great option for people who have crooked teeth but only slightly and they do not want to get braces. Some people may not be able to get veneers due to certain dental issues such as recent dental surgery, root canal, or other medical and cosmetic concerns shared by your dentist.
Benefits of Getting Dental Veneers
It is quite easy to see why dental veneers are a great option for many people facing cosmetic concerns. Here are the top benefits that you can expect to see when you choose to get veneers to address cosmetic dental issues.
- Veneers are non-invasive in nature and barely require any shaping of teeth and gums for installation.
- Veneers are not permanent and can be updated to match the changes in your teeth over time.
- The dental cement used for installing veneers has zero effect on the teeth and does not cause any loss of functionality.
- Veneers are a great option for people who need slight improvements in their tooth structure and do not want to get braces.
- Good quality veneers can last a long time and even with years of use, veneers cost less than other more invasive procedures.
Possible Disadvantages of Veneers
While most people get dental veneers to change their look permanently, you can still expect some disadvantages of getting veneers.
However, do keep in mind that these are just shortcomings of a procedure that is less permanent in nature than other more expensive options.
- Unless you are getting temporary veneers, you will have a hard time removing veneers because dental cement makes veneers permanent for the most part.
- Grinding your teeth can damage veneers and lead to tooth decay underneath it. This could lead to you requiring implants later without realizing it.
- Getting your teeth whitened after installing veneers is not possible because the color of composite resin veneers cannot change once it is set.
- Regardless of whether you choose composite resin or porcelain veneers, you will need to perform regular dental care to ensure you do not face further tooth reduction or damage.
The Process of Installing Teeth Veneers on Your Natural Teeth
The process involved in getting dental veneers from a dentist requires multiple steps. Each step is carefully performed by the dentist to make sure you get the best fit and alignment on your affected or damaged teeth.
In most cases, you can expect to have at least three visits and here is what would happen during each visit.
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Initial Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Before you can get your porcelain or composite veneer ready, you will need a thorough consultation with your dentist. The first visit will be all about diagnosing the problem and your dentist will investigate your condition thoroughly. They may also perform x-rays and will take bite impressions and pictures for accurate veneer shade and structure.
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Getting Temporary Veneers
Before you get the real thing installed, your dentist will provide you with removable veneers that will allow you to assess the fitting and get used to the new look. You can provide feedback on your experience to make sure the final product provides the best fit.
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Final Veneer Placement
Now that you are ready for the actual veneers, your dentist will remove tooth enamel and grind the teeth slightly to make sure the veneers cover the surface effectively with a strong bond. The process can take several hours and requires a local anesthetic to deep clean the area before installing the veneers.
Typical Usage Time for Veneers
This depends entirely on the type of veneers you are getting. Porcelain veneers can last up to a decade, whereas resin composite material can usually last about half as long.
Care Routine for Dental Veneers
There is some initial care required for veneers as your teeth are sensitive after the procedure. However, after a few days, you can eat normally and follow the regular dental hygiene procedure that you would on normal teeth.
You should, however, reduce your consumption of food items that may damage your tooth color.
Summing Up
Dental veneers are a great way of improving your look and your dentist will help you a lot in regaining your confidence after you get them.
However, all of that would only be possible if you choose a dentist that can do a fantastic job. For people living in Florida, Sunny Isles Dental is an obvious choice as their dentist.
They provide excellent service, offer online booking 24/7, and can be reached directly via phone for specific information.