Detailed Guide to Dental Veneers

When considering cosmetic dentistry, you have several options to choose from. Dental veneers, dental crowns, bonding, and fillings are some of the most common treatment options. If your tooth damage is moderate, your dentist is likely to recommend dental veneers. A veneer is a tiny shell or covering that is glued to the front of a tooth to hide any damage.

Depending on the damage, a veneer can be used to adjust or change a tooth’s appearance, shape, size, and length. If you think that veneers can help your condition, you should visit a dentist for an exam. Once the dentist examines your teeth, they can approve you for the treatment or recommend another option.

Dental Issues Addressed with Dental Veneers

Depending on the type of damage to your tooth or teeth, dental veneers can be used to solve the following dental problems:

• Stained or Discolored Teeth

Many years of consuming stain-causing foods and drinks, your teeth can get stains. Medication, old age, and poor dental hygiene are other possible causes of tooth stains and discoloration. Yellow or stained teeth can greatly affect your smile and self-confidence.

To correct this, dental veneers can be placed over the affected teeth, giving them a whiter, brighter, and healthier look.

• Tooth Gaps and Misaligned Teeth

Tooth gaps and misalignment can happen due to several reasons, including genetics and trauma. Besides affecting your smile, tooth gaps can increase your risk of developing dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.

For instance, food participles can easily get stuck between the teeth, leading to bacteria and plaque build-up. Your dentist can use veneers to close the gaps and correct the alignment, improving your smile and make it easier to maintain cleanings.

• Chipped or Cracked Teeth

Whether your tooth has fractured or chipped due to trauma, decay, or old age, the dentist can restore your tooth’s natural shape, appearance, and function with a veneer. Dental veneers are specially used to fix tooth damage that is too large to repair through bonding but doesn’t require a dental crown.

Reasons to Consider Dental Veneers

• Veneers Improve Your Smile and Self-confidence

Discolored, chipped, cracked, or crooked teeth can affect how you smile and interact with others. For instance, you may feel less confident speaking in public. Repairing the damage with a veneer restores your tooth’s natural shape and appearance, greatly improving your smile and self-confidence.

• Long-lasting

If well placed and cared for, dental veneers can last for about 5 to 10 years. The longevity may also depend on the type of veneer. Porcelain veneers tend to last longer than composite veneers.

• Saves Your Tooth

Besides repairing the damage, a veneer protects your teeth from further damage. For instance, if a chipped or cracked tooth isn’t repaired timely, it’s likely to get damaged further, which may lead to loss of the tooth.

• Getting Veneers is Quick and Easy

Unlike other dental procedures that take months or years to complete, veneers correct your smile in less than a month. The veneer treatment typically takes about two visits to the dental office. When placing the veneer, a thin layer of the tooth’s enamel is removed to allow the veneer to fit perfectly.

• Prevents the Need for Complex Procedures

By fixing a minor problem with a veneer, the tooth is protected from further damage. This eliminates the need for complex and more expensive procedures such as dental crowns and dental implants. It’s also cheaper to get a veneer than getting a dental crown or implant.

• Ease of Maintenance

Caring for your veneer covered teeth is easy and simple. You just have to continue with your daily routine. Good dental care tips with veneers include:

• Floss daily
• Brush at least twice daily
• Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods
• Avoid sugary food and beverages
• Schedule dentist appointments every year for check-ups and cleaning
• Wear a mouth guard during sports and physical activity
• Wear a nightguard if you have bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Avoid abrasive dental products

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you considering veneer treatment, or do you have additional questions about dental veneers? Contact Edgartown Dental Group today for more information.