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The way your teeth look greatly affects your appearance. Darker or misshaped teeth are very easy to notice. Sadly, it’s common for teeth to change, erode, and take a darker hue as we age. When this happens, many patients lose confidence in their looks and consider starting to search for “veneers near me.”
Your smile is one of the first things others notice about you, and if you’re not proud of how it looks, you may shy away from showing off your pearly whites. Dental veneers can be an easy and effective treatment for all ages to help you regain your confidence, and here we’ll explain why.
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells you apply on the surface of your teeth to hide any imperfections and improve your smile. Unlike lengthy treatments like smile makeovers, a series of veneers can be an easy and simple way to give your grin a new appearance in one or two dental appointments.
By covering the front of your teeth, veneers can be used to cover issues like:
Veneers are made out of porcelain or resin-composite, but either way, they are very long-lasting materials as long as you maintain them with the proper care.
Additionally, these elements don’t get stains like natural teeth do, so you can forget about visiting our dental office every six months for a whitening check-up.
Moreover, they’re customized and designed to match a patient’s smile in shape, color, and desired result. Overall, dental veneers offer several benefits for patients looking for an easy and healthy way to improve the appearance of their smile.
The process of getting veneers starts with thoroughly examining your oral health. Issues like gum disease or tooth decay will only be exacerbated and left to foster if you cover them with a veneer shell, so we must ensure your smile is in top condition before starting.
Then, we’ll grind down part of the tooth structure. Even a few extra centimeters can affect the perfect alignment of your bite, so it’s necessary to remove part of the enamel—and even past it—to make room for the veneers.
This ensures proper placement. Some patients experience discomfort during this procedure, so we apply a local anesthetic. Once your teeth are ready, we’ll take an impression and send it to a specialized lab that will custom-design your veneers from scratch.
As we mentioned, veneers can be made of porcelain or composite resin and require intensive prep work.
Porcelain veneers are the best option if you’re committed to having veneers for several years to come.
Porcelain is a highly resistant material, meaning it can withstand the pressure of your bite when chewing and speaking like a pro. For this reason, when patients with bruxism are looking for veneers, we recommend porcelain.
Of course, this material has some downsides, too. Because the material’s mix contains some metal, these veneers look less natural than composite ones. That’s because the material reflects light differently, and while it may seem inconspicuous, something as simple as a different reflection can be immediately noticed by the common eye.
Moreover, porcelain veneers involve grinding down your teeth’s enamel, so they’re irreversible. After making room for the veneers, your dentist makes an impression of your smile and sends it to the lab, where your porcelain veneers will be custom-designed. Once they arrive, we’ll check their condition, make small adjustments if you dislike something, and bond them in place.
They can be the most cost-effective option in the long run, as these can last between 10 and 15 years with proper care.
Unlike porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers are designed by a cosmetic dentist on the spot. They start by applying a thin layer of the composite material to your prepared tooth and continue shaping it layer by layer until the desired appearance is achieved.
For that reason, composite veneers require a unique level of craftsmanship. Once you’re satisfied with the final result, your dentist will cure or harden the composite veneer with a special light.
Composite veneers last less than porcelain ones, with an average lifespan of five to seven years. Moreover, this material has a higher porosity, so it has proven to be more likely to stain over time.
If you’re unsure whether or not getting veneers is the right idea for you, we developed a series of frequently asked questions about this treatment to help you decide. When it comes to your oral health, there’s no such thing as being overly cautious, after all!
The number of veneers placed depends on the patient and their needs. Commonly, people opt for getting six to eight veneers to cover their most visible front teeth and create an even, symmetrical smile. Nevertheless, some simply opt for getting one or two veneers to cover specific aspects of their smiles they’re not satisfied with.
Veneer’s longevity depends on several factors, from the state of your oral health, your oral hygiene routine, and even your daily habits. Smoking, for example, increases the chances of plaque buildup and releases tannins that can easily stain your composite veneers over time.
Porcelain veneers don’t stain and aren’t susceptible to decay—but your underlying teeth are! Maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine is important to protect your underlying natural teeth.
The best way to maintain your dental veneers is to follow a strict oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing after every meal and flossing daily. The American Dental Association also recommends visiting a dental office twice a month for extensive teeth cleaning.
While brushing daily is fundamental, plaque can build up in the most unexpected places, requiring a professional’s hand to remove it. We recommend getting a mouthguard if you suffer from bruxism to protect your veneers from the pressure. And if you’re a smoker, try to eliminate the habit for your overall oral health.
Veneers can be a groundbreaking solution for patients looking to improve their appearance. You can leave with a brand-new smile in just a few dental appointments while saving costs from more extensive treatments like smile makeovers or dental crowns.
Still, veneers can be irreversible, so it’s important to research properly beforehand and to find a reliable dental office with recognized expertise in cosmetic dentistry, like Black Bear Dental. If you’re interested in learning more about this treatment, reach out! Our staff is eager to answer all of your doubts.
