Have you ever wondered if dental veneers could help you achieve the smile you have always dreamed of? It is important to find an Apex Dentist who can help you understand if you are a good candidate for dental veneers and answer all of your questions. Here are a few to get you started!
What exactly is a veneer?
Veneers, also known as porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates, are super thin shells of ceramic porcelain which are bonded to the front of teeth. The procedure is often considered “cosmetic” because there is typically little or no decay present. The goal is to improve your smile!
Why choose a veneer?
Veneers are an excellent choice of dental treatment in many situations. They can often provide a conservative alternative to dental crowns. This is because the thin shells only need to cover the tooth enough to change it’s color, size or shape, rather than to remove dental decay.
Veneers are can improve a smile in many different ways, such as
-repair teeth that were chipped and broken from an injury.
-filling gaps between front teeth
-masking a tooth that turned gray after a root-canal procedure.
-masking undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline
-masking genetic dental defects, such as peg laterals
-masking discolored fillings in front teeth.
It is important to have an initial consultation with your dentist so that all of your questions can be answered. It is very important for your Apex Dentist to understand all of your objectives. Are you trying to close a gap or fix a chipped tooth, or both? Do you want your veneers to match the current shade of your teeth or do you want to whiten your teeth first and then match your veneers to your new pearly whites? It is critical that your dentist allows you to be an active participant in planning your new smile.
What happens during the procedure?
First your Apex Dentist will prepare the teeth for veneers by lightly buffing about a half of a millimeter of the outer enamel. As a result you will likely recieve a local aesthetic. After the teeth are prepared your dentist will take an impression in order for the veneer to be fabricated. If your dentist has the technology to do a digital impression through the use of CEREC technology, you will be able to receive your new veneers in one appointment. This is because as the veneers can be created in the dental office the same day that the teeth are prepared. After the veneers are created, the teeth are cleaned with a solution that will allow them to achieve an adequate bond. Then the cement is applied and a light cures (or hardens) the cement, attaching the new veneers!
Maintaining your veneers is easy…just treat them the way you treat the rest of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups are vital to protecting your investment as well as maintaining your overall oral health.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. See if dental veneers can help you put your best smile forward!
