Veneers are one of the more popular options nowadays when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. Many people who are considering this dental prosthetic often find themselves wondering if installing will ruin their natural teeth. When properly done, veneers will not ruin your teeth. However, there are a few things you need to know about veneers before you make a decision.
How veneers work
Veneers are tooth-shaped shells that we place on the front of your natural teeth to hide any flaws while also changing the shape, size and color of the teeth. Veneers often consist of ceramics or porcelain, but they sometimes contain composite material, as well. Dentists often decide to go with veneers when a patient's teeth have intrinsic stains that whitening treatments have little to no effect on. Other reasons for using veneers in cosmetic dentistry include:
- Worn down teeth due to erosion or grinding
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misaligned, poorly shaped, or uneven teeth
- Gaps in a patient's smile
Not everyone has teeth that are suitable for veneers. Thus, we will need to conduct a full examination of your mouth to determine if you are a good candidate for this prosthetic. This examination usually includes an X-ray to give us a better idea of what is going on underneath the surface of your mouth.
If we determine that you are not a good candidate for veneers, there are other cosmetic dentistry options like composite veneers, dental bonding, or orthodontic treatments that can help to restore your smile. We will go over all of these options with you during a consultation.
How much enamel is removed during the installation of veneers?
In order to prepare your teeth for veneers, we will remove about half a millimeter of enamel from each tooth that we are going to place a veneer over. This process will help make room for the veneer so that it does not make your tooth appear larger than normal.
Before taking off the enamel, we will apply some anesthetic near the area to numb it. Afterward, we will take an impression of your teeth, so that a dental lab can customize the veneers for a perfect fit. The lab will be able to match the exact dimensions through a process that usually takes somewhere between two to three weeks. We will protect your teeth with temporary veneers until your customized prosthetic is ready for installation.
Benefits of veneers
- Veneers look and feel just like your natural teeth
- Veneers often consist of porcelain and ceramics – which are very resistant to stains
- Veneers instantly give you the perfect smile you always wanted
- Veneers can last up to 10 years with good oral hygiene
- Veneers do not require shaping like crowns
- Veneers allow you to choose exactly how you want your smile to look
- It can be used to instantly close gaps in your smile
Disadvantages of veneers
- The treatment is permanent since a portion of enamel is removed
- It's not suitable for those dealing with gum disease
- Veneers can be damaged by bad habits like teeth grinding
- Your teeth are still susceptible to decay if you fail to take proper care of them
Trying to figure out if veneers are right for you? Contact one of our dentists for a consultation today.
Request a dental veneers consultation in our Tucson dentist office here: https://www.tucsonazdentistry.com.
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