Getting Veneers? Everything You Need to Know

2 Comments

Take a second to think about the last toothpaste commercial you viewed. Chances are you got to hear about the amazing whitening ability of the toothpaste brand, paired with a model flashing their bright white smile and beaming with happiness. There’s no denying that a white set of perfectly aligned teeth is highly attractive and a huge source of confidence for many.

Dental product marketing usually focuses on the whitening and alignment improvement abilities of their products to help sell them. Many individuals, including Hollywood actors and actresses, achieve their perfect smile with the application of permanent veneers.

In the world of dentistry, veneers are thin layers of material that are placed over your teeth. They are made of porcelain or composite and are glued or bonded to the surface of real teeth. Veneers serve many useful purposes, including improving the aesthetics of a smile and protecting the surface of a stained or damaged tooth from further damage.

If you feel that your smile could use some improvement, veneers could be a great option for you, but before you settle down in the dentist’s chair, take some time to understand whether you truly are a candidate for veneers. We’re here to provide you with everything you need to know about veneers to make an educated and informed decision.

Am I a candidate for veneers?

If your teeth require a little cosmetic assistance to reach their full potential, then veneers could be a viable option for you. However, not everyone is a candidate for veneers; it’s important to consider a few key aspects before opting to undergo the procedure, including:

Your tooth condition

Veneers are a good way to hide some of the unappealing aspects of your teeth. Individuals with teeth that are yellow, dark stained, crooked, or short, or have a narrow arch, or an ageing smile are usually considered candidates for veneers. Individuals with a crossbite, underbite, or severe overcrowding are not considered good candidates.
You don’t want a lot of downtime

Individuals who wish to avoid lengthy surgical procedures and healing time would be better suited to try veneers, one of the least invasive methods of cosmetic restoration requiring very little tooth structure removal.
You don’t grind your teeth

Individuals who have a habit of grinding or clenching their teeth may not be best suited for veneers. This is because veneers made of porcelain are very delicate and can break under excessive force and pressure.
Your overall oral health

Before veneers can be placed onto your real teeth, they must first be examined to ensure that they offer sufficient surface area for veneer attachment. If your natural teeth are too weak, decayed, or significantly damaged, there may not be enough tooth onto which the veneers can be attached. Other oral health concerns such as gum disease must be addressed and appropriately treated before you can be considered a candidate for veneers.

What is the process of veneer application?

Veneers are a permanent restoration option that can only be removed by a dentist. Veneers typically last between 15 and 20 years; however, they can sometimes last longer.

The process of veneer application is also relatively simple and doesn’t require numerous visits to the dentist. However, the pain associated with veneer application is similar to that of a root canal. Luckily, the pain is temporary, and you’ll be able to enjoy the results of your procedure for years to come. The entire process of veneer application is split into two visits, which are spaced a week or two apart:

Your first visit

During this initial visit, the tooth enamel must be prepared for the veneers to be applied. The tooth enamel is roughened slightly, and a very thin layer of the enamel is removed to prepare the surface of the tooth. With newer and thinner veneers available, very little drilling is required to make room for the veneers.

Next, an impression is taken of the prepared tooth and sent to the ceramist who will create the veneer. You will be fitted with temporary veneers at the end of your first visit.
Your second visit

The temporary veneers placed on the teeth during the first visit are removed. The customized porcelain veneers are then glued or bonded onto the surface of the teeth, giving you your new and improved smile. Newer and stronger bonding agents have been introduced, allowing the veneers to adhere better to the teeth.

You will experience some soreness following your procedure, and your teeth may be sensitive from the bonding cement. The pain and discomfort from the procedure are normal and temporary and will diminish as your mouth heals. Over-the-counter pain medications can be used to help manage any pain during the healing process.

Don’t Make the Mistake of Going too Bright

It’s easy to believe that the whiter, the better when it comes to your teeth. However, this is far from the truth, and there is such a thing as too white. Although achieving the perfect white smile is usually the goal, it’s important to select a natural shade of white.

When selecting the correct shade of white, different aspects are considered, including the whites of the eyes, the individual’s skin tone, and the patient’s preferred outcome. There are multiple characteristics of white colour, which should also be considered, including its value or brightness and the amount of light that can pass through it, also referred to as translucency.

Work with your dentist and their ceramist to select the perfect shade of white to suit you because once the veneers have been cemented, you can’t make a change.

How much do veneers cost?

It’s hard to consider dental procedures without the pesky price tag. Veneers can be an expensive investment, costing anywhere from $2000 to $4000 per tooth, depending on the dentist.

Creating veneers requires significant accuracy and detail. The ceramist who creates the veneers applies true artistry to their design to ensure that the veneers look just like real teeth.

As veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, they are usually not covered by dental insurance; however, it’s a good idea to see if your plan provides at least partial coverage. That being said, you can choose to get veneers for a few teeth with greater damage and for those most noticeable, rather than for every tooth.

Aftercare for Veneers

With your newly applied veneers, you are ready to show off your new and improved smile. As exciting as it can be, it’s important to be mindful of your veneers so that they can better serve their purpose and remain a worthwhile investment for you.

Veneers made of porcelain can chip and crack just like your natural teeth. This means that it’s a good idea to avoid biting down on very hard foods, such as ice or apples and avoid biting on other objects such as pencils so that your veneers remain in good condition.

For the same reason, avoid grinding or clenching your teeth to help keep your veneers safe. Steering clear of these pesky habits is good for the health of your natural teeth and veneers alike.

Maintaining your daily cleaning regimen is important to help keep your oral hygiene in good condition. You can clean your veneers the same way you would your natural teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing can help you steer clear of developing cavities and gum disease for a healthier and brighter smile.

In dentistry, cosmetic procedures involve a combination of dental expertise and the art of remodelling. Cosmetic dentistry is a rapidly growing field as people of all ages and backgrounds aim to improve their smile in several different ways.

Veneers are one such method of smile enhancement, and although it is a cosmetic procedure, it’s important to ensure that an experienced dentist completes it. Just like any artist, each cosmetic dentist will offer you slightly different results. Take the time to get to know your cosmetic dentist and go through their previous work to determine if they can help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamt about.

To learn more about veneers, call Bristol Dental at 905-712-3409 or contact us here.