If you have gapped, mildly misaligned teeth or extremely stained teeth, you could get from veneers. Dental veneers are thin shells that are usually made of materials like porcelain. Veneers cover the entire front surface of the teeth to correct issues like cracked, chipped, stained, and broken teeth. You can schedule an appointment with a Jenison cosmetic dentistry clinic to know more. In this post, let’s discuss some general facts and aspects about veneers.
Procedure for dental veneers
Because veneers reshape your smile, these shells are usually made of composite resin or porcelain that resemble natural teeth color. Your dentist may also offer no-prep veneers, which have a different procedure. The first step in the procedure is to buff your teeth, which involves removing a small part of the enamel. Your dentist will use local anesthesia for this. Next, they will take impressions of your teeth and make molds, which will be sent to a lab to make custom veneers. You will return for the next session, where the veneers will be fixed on the prepared teeth. In some cases, dentists may offer temporary veneers until permanent ones are ready. No-prep veneers, such as Lumineers and Vivaneers, require little to no preparation or use of anesthesia.
Should you consider veneers?
There is no perfect answer to this question. Your dentist can offer better advice on whether you will benefit from dental veneers depending on the cosmetic concerns. Usually, veneers are recommended for chipped and cracked teeth, and if you have extremely stained teeth that cannot be corrected through teeth whitening procedures, your dentist may suggest this as an alternative. Veneers are also great for correcting gapped, pointy, and unusually-shaped teeth.
Are veneers permanent?
No, dental veneers are not permanent, just like most cosmetic treatments. Veneers can last for a decade or more. However, the procedure for getting veneers requires enamel removal, which is a permanent step. As such, once you agree to the treatment, you have to continue replacing veneers in the future.
Preparing for the treatment
There will be a preliminary appointment with your dentist, who will do an oral exam to ensure you are an ideal candidate for veneers. If you have extremely crooked or misaligned teeth, you may need orthodontic care before cosmetic treatments. Also, it is important to treat other concerns, like existing cavities, decay in one or more teeth, and the need for root canal therapy, before getting veneers.
How are dental veneers different from crowns?
A dental crown encases the entire tooth, almost resembling a cap. However, veneers only cover the frontal surface of the teeth. Crowns are often used in restorative dentistry, but in some cases, cosmetic goals could be a reason for the treatment. Veneers are mostly cosmetic. While veneers can fix mild orthodontic concerns, these thin shells don’t straighten the teeth. You need braces or clear aligners if you want permanent results for misaligned teeth. Clear aligners actually move your teeth, and the outcomes are excellent for mild to moderate orthodontic issues.
Visiting your dentist
Now that you know the basic details about veneers, go ahead and meet your dentist. If you have questions or want to understand other options for correcting the same cosmetic concerns, they can explain better. The cost of veneers depends on several factors, but because this is an elective treatment, your insurance is unlikely to pay for the expenses. Many cosmetic dentistry clinics in Jenison have flexible payment options, which can be helpful. Overall, veneers are a great way to enhance your smile, and you can expect your teeth to look the same for years to come!