What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers, which are considered cosmetic dentistry, are thin – wafer-thin pieces of porcelain that are custom-made to fit on the tooth. They’re sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates. Most veneers are made out of porcelain.

Veneers can change the color, shape, size or length of your teeth, giving you a natural, attractive look. For some people, it gives them a totally new look, and in turn, can boost one’s self-confidence.

 

Why Would I Need Dental Veneers?

 

People get veneers for a variety of different reasons. Everything from tooth decay to gum disease to worn enamel can cause teeth to change, even to fall out. Not taking care of your teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash can also cause dental problems.

Let’s face it; there’s nothing like a beautiful set of teeth. Your smile says a lot about you. Here are some of the main reasons people get veneers:

Discolored teeth

• There are two types of tooth stains: Intrinsic (the inner structure of the tooth) and Extrinsic (the outer layer of the tooth enamel)

• Causes of Intrinsic Discoloration: trauma to the teeth, some prescription medicines (antibiotics), excessive fluoride as a child, vitamin deficiency, damage to a nerve or blood vessel in the pulp of the tooth, genetics.

• Causes of Extrinsic Discoloration: coffee, wine, cola, beets, curries, smoking, chewing tobacco, tooth grinding

Chipped or broken teeth

• Many people use veneers to correct or hide chipped or broken teeth.

Teeth with gaps between them

• Some people like the gapped-tooth look, while others want it to be corrected. Veneers can close that gap.

Crooked, crowded, uneven teeth

• Many people are embarrassed by their crooked teeth and are looking for ways to improve their smile. The good news is, dental veneers can easily correct crooked, crowded, or uneven teeth.

To hide silver fillings

• Years ago, dentists used silver fillings (amalgam), which can erode over the years, leading to fractures in the tooth, which exposes your teeth to bacteria. If you still have silver fillings today, and they didn’t cause any major issues with your teeth, there’s no big reason for concern. However, aesthetically speaking, silver fillings can look similar to decay.

 

 

 

 

How Do Dental Veneers Work?

 

 

As we mentioned earlier, the dentist bonds the veneers to the front of your teeth, to improve their appearance. Most people have veneers placed on their top front eighth teeth, but there are instances, where you may want to apply the veneer to just one tooth, if, for example, it’s chipped or broken. You and the dentist together will decide the best approach.

 

 

Am I a Candidate for Dental Veneers?

 

 

Dental veneers can work for most people, and here are some considerations to help determine if you’re a good candidate to get dental veneers. The dentist will use dental examinations, x-rays and possibly even impressions of your mouth. He’ll look at the alignment of your teeth to see if that’s affecting your bite. If he feels your teeth are too far out of alignment, then veneers won’t work for you. But in this case, you and the dentist can discuss other options.

 

 

 

How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Veneers?

 

 

The procedure of getting veneer teeth involves a number of steps, as mentioned above – starting with a dental exam, x-rays, etc. You and the dentist will then discuss your teeth– your issues and concerns, along with your goals.

 

 

The process, explained here, starts once a plan is in place:

• Prep your teeth: the first thing the dentist will do is to prep your teeth for the veneers, by removing a bit of the enamel, which could take a while. If needed, sedation may be applied.

• Select tooth color: obviously, the goal is natural-looking teeth, so you and the dentist will select a color that works best for you.

• Make a model of your teeth: the dentist will do this, using either putty or through digital imaging, and send the information to a dental lab.

• Another tooth prep: Once the model comes back from the lab, the dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth and may reshape the veneers a bit to make sure they’re the perfect fit.

• Polish the veneers: The dentist will then clean and polish the veneers and use a dental cement to bind the veneer to the tooth.

Please note, occasionally, the dentist will apply temporary veneers. You’re basically looking at two or more visits to see the dentist, over a 5 to 6-week period.

Do Dental Veneers Hurt?

No – dental veneers do not hurt. And in general, visiting the dentist shouldn’t be painful. At Florida Dental Solutions, we strive to make getting dental work done, a pleasant experience. If needed, mild sedation will be applied.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

With proper care, porcelain veneers should last between 10 and 15 years.

Be Prepared to Start Smiling Again

Think about this – if you’re embarrassed to smile because of the way your teeth look, then it’s time for a change, which can easily happen. Insurance traditionally doesn’t cover veneers, since they’re considered a cosmetic procedure. But if you think quality dental work is out of your price range – think again! At Florida Dental Solutions, we provide comprehensive, high-quality dental work at affordable prices. We provide creative solutions for all your dental needs!

Now – call us today at 954-362-4102 and make an appointment to get dental veneers, so you can start smiling with confidence, again.