By Mashum Mollah
Porcelain veneers are becoming a very popular aesthetic dental treatment. They are the most preferred way of improving the look of your teeth. Veneers are used to mask cracks and imperfections, but a lot of people also decide to get veneers for purely aesthetic reasons.
If you are looking to get a Hollywood smile, veneers are probably the easiest and most-accessible solution to go for. As professional dentists, we give you all of the information you need to make a decision whether veneers are the right option for you.
What Are Dental Veneers:
All of us know that veneers can make your teeth sparkle, but what really are they? Veneers are wafer-thin shells made out of tooth-colored material. The material used is usually porcelain, ceramic or composite bonding material. Veneers go on top of your natural teeth, yet they do not repair or strengthen the tooth.
They are mainly a cosmetic dental product that can improve the look of your teeth. You can choose the shade of the veneers and the material used. However, if you are inserting veneers on only one or few teeth, you would need to be careful with the color since you need to match it to your natural teeth. If the teeth you are not planning to put veneers on are stained or discolored, it is advisable to have a whitening procedure first before adding the veneers so you can match the color as close as possible.
Depending on the material you choose, veneers can last between around 10 years, but with proper care, their lifespan might be increased significantly. Porcelain veneers are the most durable ones and because they have the most natural look, they are the preferred veneer type for many.
What Can Veneers Do For You?
While the reasons for getting veneers are usually aesthetic, from a practical point of view they are not uncomfortable in any way. You will find it incredibly easy to get used to them because they are just a shell on your natural teeth and won’t interfere with eating.
Among the most common reasons for getting veneers are:
- Better alignment
- Improving the color of the natural teeth
- Covering stains
- Changing tooth shape
- Covering small gaps and cracks
Porcelain veneers are usually the best choice mainly because of their durability and their natural look. They are only 0.5mm thick. To fit a porcelain veneer, apart from the tooth enamel must be removed which can cause tooth sensitivity for some patients.
Due to the need to remove a part of the enamel, these veneers are something you would have to stick to for life. They usually last between 10 to 15 years, and with good maintenance, you can extend their life to 20 years. However, if the veneers need to be replaced, you would definitely need to do that due to the fact that the enamel of the natural tooth is removed.
The main advantage of this type of veneers is the fact that they do not stain. They are incredibly strong and they look and feel very natural. However, when compared to the other types of veneers, the porcelain ones are higher priced.
Cost of Porcelain Veneers:
The cost per porcelain veneers mostly depends on where you live. If you choose a dentist in Pensacola, Florida, the average price will be around $575 per veneer.
The Process:
The process of getting veneers starts with a consultation. You need to see a dentist who specializes in veneers and explain to them what your expectations are and what would you like the end result to be.
The dentist might advise you to have an x-ray in order to determine if veneers will be suitable for you. You will also need to have a full oral examination.
The next step is to have your teeth impressions taken. Professional dental clinics such as dental clinics in Pensacola, Florida use 3D images to give you an idea of how your new set of veneers will look.
On your next visit, the dentist will need to remove a part of your enamel. This is done by drilling, yet this is not painful since it is only the top layer of the tooth where there are no nerves. Still, local anesthetics can be used if you would prefer that so make sure you speak to the dentist.
The reason why the enamel is removed is to decrease the surface of the natural tooth and make room for the veneer. In this way, the veneer won’t look bulky and it will appear more natural.
The enamel removal usually does not influence the sensitivity, yet that is possible for some patients.
The veneers will be made in a social lab by a dental technician.
At this stage, teeth whitening might be advised to achieve the same color for your natural teeth as for the veneers.
Before placing the veneers, the dentist will do final checks to see if they match your requirements and your natural teeth. The bonding glue affects the color of the veneers, so by using the right shade, the dentist will be able to match the color perfectly.
The veneers will be cemented to the back of the tooth to ensure they stay in place. Once this is done, the procedure is finished. There is little to no recovery period after the procedure, apart for the possibility of your gums being slightly irritated – something that goes away quickly.
Aftercare:
To extend the lifetime of your veneers as much as possible, you would need to take good care of them. Your dentist will tell you all you need to do, but generally, you would need to:
- Brush the teeth at least twice a day
- Floss often
- Have regular check-ups
Even though veneers are stain resistant, smoking, coffee, tea, and red wine can still influence the color.
Veneers are the quickest and easiest way to achieve a sparkling smile. The procedure is costly, yet painless and considering the fact that they can be really durable is what makes them worth it in the long run.
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