Do you have cracked, chipped, or permanently stained teeth? Do you have cosmetic imperfections that keep you from smiling your brightest? Or do your teeth have slight imperfections on the front surface, such as chips, cracks, or a jagged edge? Then perhaps dental veneers are the perfect solution.
One of the most common cosmetic and restorative dentistry treatments we perform, dental veneers are custom-made fronts that fit onto the surface of your teeth and allow you to regain the confidence that comes with knowing you have a winning smile. And you should talk to your dentist about what advantages a dental veneer procedure offers.
What are Veneers?
A dental veneer is a thin, decorative coating that fits over the surface of your current teeth and can completely restore their appearance, as well as improve function. And because of our attention to detail and access to the latest dental technology, Parrish-Childs dentists can custom-fit veneers for your teeth that will have you beaming in no time. In fact, our cosmetic dentistry options provide our patients with the widest range of choices aimed at producing the best smile possible. Our new veneers look just like natural teeth.
Made from high-quality materials such as composite or porcelain, veneers look and feel so much like real teeth, that no one – including you – will be able to tell the difference. There are even removable veneers that you can easily snap into place or remove as the need arises.
And while they may be classed as cosmetic, the results are anything but, as they help restore very real confidence in your own appearance and smile, as well as deliver full function. Veneers don’t necessarily strengthen or repair your tooth, but they can help cover over a weak spot in the tooth (such as a chip, crack, or jagged edge) that is proving troublesome.
How do veneers work?
There are different types of veneers — including permanent veneers and even a single veneer — and a dentist can help you choose a veneer that best fits the front of your teeth – most often those teeth at the front of the mouth. The dental veneer process can even color match the veneers to the rest of your teeth or meet a shade that you desire.
A Parrish-Childs dentist will then utilize a composite bonding to attach the veneers to your current teeth. Or, if you choose a removable veneer, you will be fitted for them and you treat them as you would a retainer.
Once in place, the dental veneers completely hide any cosmetic imperfection in the tooth – as well as offering full functionality – so that you can smile away and go about your life in a carefree manner. And they last 10 to 15 years with proper care.
Why are veneers used in dentistry?
A dentist trusts veneers are used because of their combination of function and ease of implementation for the patient.
In fact, a dental veneer offers our patients a very simple but very real solution to a whole range of cosmetic and minor functional issues of the tooth. They have a long tradition of use in the dental profession, having been invented in 1928 – the first veneers were porcelain (a substance still used today) and emplaced by Charles Pincus.
Who needs dental veneers?
Any patient who suffers from a range of cosmetic or minor functional concerns is a good candidate for dental veneers. This is because veneers offer a great solution to anyone who deals with:
· Chipped or broken teeth or tooth
· Gaps/spaces between a number of teeth (Diastema)
· Permanent stains to teeth or tooth
· Misshapen teeth or teeth – such as sharp edges or rough spots
· Fractured or broken teeth or tooth
A dental veneer improves these concerns because it looks and functions just like a real tooth, allowing you to smile without concern. They are also relatively simple to put in place and do not require the more in-depth care that comes with full or partial tooth replacements or implants.
What is the process for placing veneers?
The type of veneer you and your dentist choose will determine the entire process of placing them on your teeth.
Our dentists will first do a thorough exam of your mouth and ensure you are a good candidate for veneers, which means that you must be free of extensive cavities and/or gum disease. These are serious oral health issues that must be treated before applying veneers.
There are many types of veneers, including composite veneer, porcelain veneer, no-prep veneer, and removable veneer. You and your dentist will discuss the difference between veneers, the pros and cons of each, your situation, and determine which best fits your needs.
· Composite resin veneers
The dentist uses a tooth-colored composite resin — the same material used for dental bonding — to adhere the veneers to the tooth. Because they only last 3-10 years, they are temporary veneers.
· Porcelain veneers
Also known as traditional veneers, these are custom-made to fit your teeth, porcelain veneers require that your dentist remove some enamel from your tooth surface (they need a rough surface to help stay in place, and removing some enamel provides that).
· No-prep veneers
Also custom-made for your smile, this type of veneer requires less enamel removal on the tooth than porcelain veneers.
· Removable veneers
These custom-made attachments pop or snap into place and do not require enamel removal. However, they can make it difficult to eat and can also impact your speech.
Diagnosis and treatment planning
Only a dentist can determine whether veneers are right for your oral health, but if you suspect that dental veneers are the right solution, then please tell your dentist right away.
Know that having veneers will require some time at the dentist’s office, as well as some dedication to maintaining their appearance and your oral health.
Preparation
After undergoing an exam, which may also include X-rays, to ascertain whether veneers are an option, and determining the type of veneers that work best for you, your dentist will either:
Prep your teeth by removing small amounts of enamel (if you select porcelain or no-prep veneers) and then make impressions of your teeth. They then send these impressions to a dental lab that constructs your custom veneers.
Or
Begin the process of installing composite veneers.
NOTE: You may also require local anesthesia during the installation process.
What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
Porcelain veneers are the longest-lasting and most resilient type of veneer, whereas composite veneers, while simpler to install, do not last as long.
Composite veneers can also be stained by food/drink, whereas porcelain veneers are much harder to stain and are much more rugged over time.
Porcelain veneer uses three appointments with the dentist: Consultation, impression, and installation. Each procedure with these cosmetic concerns is taken very seriously.
Composite veneers utilize a bonding substance to put them in place.
Bonding
During this procedure, composite veneers utilize a composite resin and are bonded directly to the teeth. This putty-like substance can be shaped according to your tooth structure during the veneering process. Then it will harden.
After the resin hardens, it is polished and shaped to produce the perfect appearance. And this is all completed in one office visit. Dental bonding can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years.
Care for Veneers
Dental veneers are relatively simple to care for, and they don’t actively damage your teeth. However, you will need to make some changes in order to ensure your best oral health once you have veneers.
· Continue good oral hygiene
It should go without saying, but just because you have veneers in place does not mean you can ignore your teeth and just eat and drink whatever you want with no consequences. Even porcelain veneers could face problems in this scenario. This includes seeing your dentist at least once every six months.
· Use the right toothbrush and toothpaste
This is especially important for porcelain veneers. A soft toothbrush is a must, as firmer bristles and grittier toothpaste can damage the polish on your veneers.
· Be wary of gum disease
Gum disease can cause your gums to recede, which would expose part of the veneer and make your teeth look two-toned and awkward.
· Avoid chewing on anything hard
Ice, fingernails, pens and pencils, are all dangerous to your veneers and could damage them and require removal or new installation.
· Don’t grind or clench your teeth
This is bad for your teeth, no matter if you have veneers or not, but it’s doubly dangerous when you have veneers. That’s because it can damage the veneers and waste the time, effort, and money you put into them.
· Don’t eat/drink substances that stain – or use tobacco
While porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, the adhesive that keeps them in place is not, which could lead to weird stains around the edges of your veneers. Therefore coffee, soda, and red wine should all be drunk with caution/moderation. Tobacco, however, should be avoided completely, whether smokeless or not.
Because they are termed cosmetic dentistry, veneers may not always be covered by insurance, and so the veneers cost is worth discussing with your dentist and their front office. However, Parrish-Childs Dental works hard to ensure that the veneer material we use, including dental cement or traditional porcelain veneers, is the perfect fit for you. So there is no need to worry that teeth with veneers look odd or out of place.
Are veneers right for you?
If you need – or think you may need – veneers know that Chris Childs Dentistry is here for you. Our full-service, friendly, and family-based approach to practice has served the health of patients throughout north Georgia for years.
Our highly qualified and friendly staff understands every aspect of implant dentistry and will help you receive the care that serves you best.
Do not wait to talk to a dentist about dental veneers. Call Chris Childs Dentistry today at 770-536-0581 and let us help ensure your optimum oral health.
