Before and After Invisalign: An Invisible Alternative to Braces
2016-04-04
Ask a Dentist at Friendly Dentistry in Greensboro NC
2016-05-09
One of the quickest ways to enhance your smile without extensive dental treatment and aside from regular teeth whitening is with dental veneers. Veneers are made of ultra thin porcelain and are bonded to the front of the tooth. They are very durable and resilient so they will last for many years with proper care. Dental veneers are custom made to look and feel just like our natural teeth. They can be very effective for hiding gaps between teeth, repairing a chipped tooth, hiding missing teeth, and also for covering stained teeth and discoloration.
In most cases, the process only requires two appointments with your cosmetic dentist – one to prep the teeth for veneers and place the temporaries, and one to place the final fabricated veneers. It usually only takes between one and two weeks to make your veneers and bonding them to the teeth only requires one appointment.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Getting veneers can completely transform your smile or simply enhance the beautiful smile you already have. It’s also one of the most minimally invasive and cost effective dental procedures available. Dental veneers can hide unsightly teeth, cover imperfections, and generally improve the appearance of your teeth as a much more affordable alternative to full mouth reconstruction. Our cosmetic dental associates can use several techniques to rebuild just one tooth, reshape one or more teeth, or create the appearance of a wider smile.
Veneers can help to:
- Brighten your smile by masking discolored teeth
- Straighten slightly uneven or crooked teeth
- Cover up tooth fractures and chipped teeth
- Change the shape of your teeth to enhance your smile
- Fill gaps and spaces between teeth
- Build out your teeth to widen your smile
Why Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain is a very durable and stain-resistant material which means it will stand the test of time to preserve your smile. You’ll never have to worry about coffee and red wine stains, or general discoloration that occurs as you get older. Porcelain retains its white sheen and your veneers will be colored to a shade that matches your natural teeth to keep everything uniform.
Prepping the tooth for a porcelain veneer typically involves removing some of the tooth enamel from the surface of the tooth so there’s a tight bond with the tooth structure and the veneer itself. Once the tooth or teeth are prepped, we will place a set of temporary veneers over the teeth to protect them while your real veneers are being made in the lab. We’ll make sure you’re completely happy with the veneers before placement — if you don’t like the shape, color, or size for any reason, we can have the lab make a new set. Porcelain veneers are bonded to the teeth permanently but can be replaced at a later date.
Dental veneers are designed to last for years and our hygienists will use special tools to clean your veneers when you come in for your dental cleanings.
Are You a Good Candidate for Veneers?
While most people are good candidates for veneers, there are some situations where we can’t use veneers to improve your smile. If you have signs of gum disease or tooth decay, veneers could make the problem worse. If the teeth are too weak or there isn’t enough base enamel to support the veneers, you won’t be a good candidate for the procedure. If there is not enough of the original tooth structure or a tooth is excessively damaged, we may need to explore dental implants or other tooth restorations.
Even though veneers can help mask crooked or misshapen teeth, you may need braces or other orthodontic treatments to correct teeth that are severely misaligned.
If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentistry solution that will rebuild and enhance your smile, talk to the team at Friendly Dentistry about dental veneers. Schedule your veneers consultation appointment today.
