Do you have a chipped tooth? Are you embarrassed to smile because of your stained teeth? Well, veneers are here to turn that frown upside down! Veneers are a dental procedure that can give you your beautiful smile back. However, you should remember that it is a permanent treatment. Before you make the decision to get them, you should get all the knowledge on veneers.
That is where we come in. In this article, we will give you all the information you need for making an informed decision.
What Are Veneers?
A veneer is a shell that covers a tooth from the front in order to provide it with more resilience and strength than the tooth’s natural enamel. The material used to make veneers is very thin and has a color similar to that of teeth. Veneers are custom-made according to the size and shape of your tooth and are fixed to your tooth’s natural enamel. There are two materials that can be used to make veneers – resin composite and porcelain.
What Are the Uses of Veneers in Dentistry?
When compared with braces or crowns, veneers are the less invasive option. If you have small misalignments in your teeth or have a small gap, you can get veneers to fix it. They are also used for cosmetic dentistry purposes like straightening the smile and enhancing the brightness. Other issues like chips, fractures, and discoloration can also be corrected with the help of veneers.
How Are Veneers Placed?
If you are planning to get veneers, you might need to make one to three trips to your dentist. The first appointment will be for consultation. The second will be for the application of the veneers. You can even get veneers placed on more than one tooth at the same time. The final visit will be a follow-up to see if the veneer is holding.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
In your initial appointment, your dentist will check if you are a good candidate for veneers. Once this is confirmed, your dentist will guide you through the veneer placement process and let you know of its limitations. Your dentist may also take an x-ray of your mouth.
Preparation
The next step is the preparation of the veneer. Your dentist will start the procedure by removing half a millimeter of your enamel from the surface of your tooth. The same amount of thickness would be added to the surface of the veneer to give it stability. The next step is the construction of the model. This process can take up to 2 to 4 weeks.
Bonding
Once your veneer is constructed, your dentist will perform a temporary fix to see if the color and size is correct. If no adjustments are needed, your dentist will move on to preparing your tooth or teeth for receiving the veneer. After cleaning and polishing your tooth, a special type of cement will be applied to bond the veneer with it. After that, your dentist will apply a light beam that activates the chemicals and seals the veneer to your tooth.
A follow-up visit will be required after a few weeks of the procedure.
If you are interested in learning more about veneers, or think that veneers may be a good fit for you, give HPS Dental a call today!
