5 Questions about Esthetic Veneers, Answered

If your teeth are chipped, dark in color, or have large gaps between them, you may not feel like smiling. These defects can affect your self-confidence causing you to have difficulty with situations such as getting a new job, enjoying an evening out with friends, or going on a date.

There are several easy steps you can take to help bring back your beautiful smile and help boost your confidence. Esthetic Veneers is one simple procedure your dentist can perform to repair, straighten, and whiten your teeth. What are veneers? Here are the answers to 5 questions about esthetic veneers.

What are Esthetic Veneers?

Esthetic veneers are thin, custom-made shells covering your tooth’s front part. They are also known as dental veneers, porcelain veneers, and dental porcelain laminate.

Veneers are porcelain or a resin composite. Each veneer is custom-fitted with the color and shape and applied to your surrounding teeth. Your dentist can use esthetic veneers to help with tooth discoloration caused by medications, dental procedures, health issues, and fillings. Dental veneers can also be used to cover teeth that are worn down, chipped, broken, uneven, or irregular in shape. Adding veneers can also help reduce gaps between teeth.

How Are Esthetic Veneers Applied?

Although it is a simple procedure, only professional dental offices, such as Kennewick Dental are trained in the process can safely and accurately apply veneers to your teeth.

The procedure may take several visits to your dentist for the whole process. On the first visit, your dentist will determine if veneers are right for you. Your teeth and gums must be healthy in order for the veneers to be applied successfully. If your dentist confirms that you are a good candidate, on the second visit, your veneers will be applied to your teeth. On your third visit, your dentist checks how well you and your teeth are adjusting to your new veneers.

To apply the veneers, your dentist first cleans and polishes your teeth. From there, your dentist makes etches in the enamel of the tooth where he will place the veneer. This rough surface helps the adhesive create a better bond between the tooth and the veneer. The veneer is then bonded to the tooth with a cement adhesive. Your dentist then shines a special light beam at the veneer to help the cement to harden and set quickly. When the cement cures, your dentist removes any excess adhesive, evaluate your bite, and the overall look of your teeth.

What are the Pros of Esthetic Veneers?

According to Psychology Today, your smile has a positive effect on your brain and how you feel. When you smile, chemicals including dopamine, endorphins, and Serotonin are released from the brain into your body. All three help you relax and reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. Smiling is also found to be contagious. Having esthetic veneers applied to your teeth may not only help you smile, but help others smile too!

Aside from helping others to smile, veneers offer a fairly simple way to improve the function and appearance of your teeth. Fixing a chipped or uneven tooth can help create a more level bite surface, making eating and talking more comfortable. Applying veneers to discolored teeth can help create a whiter appearance to all your teeth.

Are There Any Cons to Esthetic Veneers?

Although esthetic veneers are a good option, they may not be for everyone. Esthetic veneers are a permanent procedure. You need healthy teeth and gums for veneers for safe and accurate application. If you are prone to clenching or grinding your teeth, your veneers could easily become cracked or chipped. There are several alternatives to veneers, including bonding and dental crowns.

Do Esthetic Veneers Need Special Care?

One of the great things about esthetic veneers is they don’t need special care. They do require the same kind of care you take of your natural teeth. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing with a dental mouth rinse. Be as careful with your veneers as you would with your natural teeth. Don’t bite down hard, clench, or grind your teeth. If you take care of veneers, they should last between seven and fifteen years.

Kennewick Dental can offer you more information about whether veneers are right for you. Our trained staff can answer any questions you may have about esthetic veneers. Contact us today for a consultation.