Veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of teeth. They can correct a variety of different issues, but what exactly are they and how do they work? In laymen’s terms, a dental veneer is a very thin piece of translucent porcelain that fits right on the front of a tooth.
Veneers improve the appearance of a smile
Veneers can address a number of different issues and produce positive results.
- Veneers can cover discoloured teeth for a brighter smile.
- Teeth that are small or unevenly shaped can be fit with broader evenly shaped veneers to make a smoother look.
- A veneer can cover a tooth to hide a chipped spot.
- In some cases, veneers can be adjusted to appear straight on top of crooked teeth.
- If you want to get rid of wide spacing between your teeth, broader veneers can close those gaps.
Interested in dental veneers?
Before you decide to get veneers, you and your dentist will need to figure out what will be best for you.
- You will need to talk to your dentist about what your desired results are.
- You and your dentist will discuss all possible approaches to achieve your desired results, such as teeth whitening or orthodontics.
- Your dentist may take some x-rays or preliminary impressions of your teeth to further determine if you are a good candidate for veneers.
Preparing for your veneers
Once you’ve decided to get veneers, your first appointment will prepare your teeth for the eventual application.
- The dentist will remove a very thin layer of enamel from the surface of your teeth. They will remove less than one millimeter, which is roughly the thickness of the veneers.
- They will also take an impression of your teeth, so that they can customize the veneers to exactly the right shape and size.
Application of your veneers
At your next appointment, the veneers will be applied.
- Your dentist will test fit the veneers to make sure that the colour, shape, and size are correct.
- They will trim and adjust the veneers as necessary according to the test fit.
- Next, they will clean your teeth and roughen the surface. This will help the veneers and cement form a stronger bond with your teeth.
- The cement that the veneers go on top of is applied to your teeth.
- The dentist then uses a special kind of light to harden the cement quickly.
Making your veneers last
Veneers are not as strong as crowns and can stain, so there are just a few easy steps to help ensure lasting satisfaction and function
- On follow-up visits, you and your dentist will check to make sure your bite is even and comfortable.
- You should avoid biting down on particularly hard things like ice, or chewing on pens and pencils.
- Do not grind your teeth. If you are prone to teeth grinding, there are treatment options like night guards.
- Finally, you’ll need to continue with basic good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing!