What would you do if you had the opportunity to get the smile of your dreams? Whiten your teeth? Even out your smile? Fix your broken or chipped teeth? What if you could do all of the above?
If you are thinking of altering your smile, consider dental veneers. Veneers are porcelain or resin shells that sit on the front of your teeth. Dentists use veneers to correct several cosmetic problems, including chipped teeth, uneven smiles, or severe discoloration. You can use veneers on one tooth or several at a time. So, you and your dentist can discuss if veneers are right for you.
Veneer Process
The first step in the veneer process is to have a complete dental exam and consultation. First, your dentist will take x-rays of your teeth to make sure you are a good candidate for dental veneers. There are some issues your dentist will need to address before you move forward with veneers. Conditions like tooth decay or gum disease will slow the process. Your dentist will need to fill cavities, place crowns, and perform root canals before you can get veneers. Additionally, you may even need to have orthodontic work before your dentist can place your veneers. Crooked teeth can make it hard to set veneers straight.
If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. Then, in order to get a correct placement, your dentist will file down a small portion of the front of your tooth. Next, they will take a mold of your teeth to send to a lab. It generally takes one to two weeks to get your veneers made and sent back to your dentist.
At your final appointment, your dentist will place your veneers. The veneers will be firmly bonded to your teeth using a special cement. Finally, a UV light sets the adhesive, ensuring the veneers will stay put.
How Can Veneers Help Your Smile?
Dental veneers can fix a variety of problems that keep you from having the smile of your dreams.
Fix Broken or Chipped Teeth
Dental veneers are one of the go-to methods for fixing chipped or broken teeth. Whether it is one tooth or many, veneers can restore your smile to its original glory.
Even Your Smile
There are a few ways that veneers can make your smile even more. If you have unusually shaped teeth, veneers can give you a more natural look. Genetics or oral issues in childhood can alter the shape of your teeth. Another way veneers can give you a more even smile is if you have small teeth. If your teeth are smaller than what you would like, veneers can increase the size of your teeth and smile.
Whiten Your Teeth
You can also use veneers as a whitening alternative. However, some discoloration issues cannot be solved with whitening treatments alone. Trauma to the teeth and some medications can severely discolor teeth. Veneers can give you the bright white smile you desire. When you go for your consultations, you can tell your dentist what shade you would like your teeth to be.