Dental veneers are a beautiful, versatile way to help patients be more confident and comfortable with their smiles. If you’ve been wondering about this treatment, our team is here to help. If you find yourself wanting to learn more, setting up an appointment with Steven C. Hewett, DDS, in Champions Gate, FL, can help you get more personalized answers. That said, today we’re going to cover some information and common questions about this treatment option.
Are Dental Veneers Permanent?
Dental veneers are a long-lasting treatment and are often able to permanently improve the appearance of your smile. Its longevity is one of this treatment’s best benefits. While it’s a good idea to be careful with your veneers, they’re built to last.
With that said, the material of your veneers and other individual factors can affect their longevity. Porcelain veneers in particular can last over a decade. If one of your veneers eventually starts to show signs of wear and tear, we can replace it for you.
What Are Veneers Used For?
Reshaping
Sometimes patients are simply unhappy with the shape of their teeth. Dental veneers can be used to create the smile you’ve always wanted. Our team can go over your visual goals to make sure we can provide what you’re looking for. Then, once the veneers are in place, you’ll be able to enjoy your benefits for years to come.
Gaps
Some patients proudly enjoy the gaps between their teeth, while others don’t like them. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference. If you have gaps in your smile that you don’t like the appearance of, veneers can be used to hide these gaps.
Chips
The horror of discovering that you’ve chipped a tooth can be very upsetting. In particular, chipping the front teeth can have a severely negative impact on a person’s confidence. Veneers can be used to cover that chip right up to restore the original appearance of your teeth.
Stains
There are so many reasons teeth can stain. These reasons can range from age and genetics to medical conditions and food choices. Regardless, tooth stains can be very stubborn.
While tooth whitening treatments can be very useful, some patients with particularly stubborn stains may go through these treatments and find that they didn’t get the results they wanted. That’s where veneers can come in. Veneers are able to hide those stains and give you a glowing smile again.
What Else Should I Know About Veneers?
Tooth Coverings
Veneers are a very easy way to give your smile a “facelift.” These thin tooth coverings are carefully placed over the visible part of your tooth. Our team offers expertly hand-crafted veneers that look just like natural teeth. Veneers are commonly made of either porcelain or a composite resin material.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are made of thin porcelain shells. These shells will be custom-made for your teeth. This type of veneer offers many benefits. For one thing, they are known to be both durable and strong. The strength of these veneers should allow you to eat all of your favorite foods just as you always have. They also look extremely natural, so no one should be able to tell you have veneers when they see you smile.
When compared to getting a cap or crown, porcelain veneers don’t need as much tooth enamel removed before they’re placed. Due to their quality make and material, these veneers are very resistant to staining.
Porcelain Veneer Placement
Preparing the Teeth
The first step will be getting your teeth ready for the veneers. This involves removing some of the tooth’s enamel so we can slightly shape the tooth, and get the surface ready for a veneer. This shaping process ensures that there’s enough room in your smile for the veneers, so they look natural and feel comfortable.
Making a Mold
We will make a mold of the prepared teeth during this time as well. This impression is used to make custom veneers that will fit the surface of your teeth like a glove. When it comes to picking a shade, our goal will be to match the rest of your teeth for a seamless appearance.
Placing the Veneers
When your custom veneers are ready, we will place them on your teeth to make sure the fit and shape is just right. Once any necessary adjustments are made, we will clean your teeth and bond the veneers to the surface of your teeth.
Resin Veneers
Some patients get composite resin veneers instead of porcelain veneers. The resin is a filling material that’s been colored to match your teeth and can be bonded onto the surface of your tooth. Just as with porcelain veneers, resin veneers do have benefits as well. Sometimes they require less enamel removal, for instance.
While these veneers are not considered to be as sturdy or durable as porcelain veneers, they are generally easy to repair when needed.
Resin Veneer Placement
Shaping
As with porcelain veneers, your teeth will be adjusted as necessary to make sure there’s enough room for the resin material. The material will be carefully sculpted and bonded to the surface of your tooth.
Bonding
Once placed, the composite can be hardened with a specialized light. This process ensures that the material properly bonds to your teeth.
Polishing
Once the bonding process is complete, the material will be thoroughly polished, and any finishing touches on the shape and texture can be made. The result should be a veneer that’s a perfect match to the color of your tooth and looks just like the rest of your natural teeth.
FAQ About Dental Veneers
1. How Hard Are They To Clean?
The maintenance of veneers involves daily hygiene that should already be a part of your routine. Brushing and flossing will help keep them clean and pearly-white. You’ll also want to continue with your regular dental checkups to make sure all of your teeth and your veneers remain well cared for and in good shape.
Overall, veneers shouldn’t add to your daily workload. They’re very easy to care for, and their non-porous material makes them resistant to cavities and stains. All of these factors make veneers a minimal-effort solution to your dental concerns.
2. Do I Need To Prepare for My Veneers?
We’ll want to make sure your gums and teeth are in good health before we place your veneers. If you have dental issues that need to be addressed, we can help you get your smile healthy so you’re ready to get your veneers as soon as possible.
3. Should I Avoid Anything After Getting Veneers?
Anything that can be harmful for regular teeth can be harmful for veneers, too. Biting into hard objects like ice, bottle caps, and pencils are common ways patients end up chipping their teeth. A good rule to keep in mind is if the activity could chip a regular tooth, it’s probably not a great idea for your veneers either.
Another thing to keep in mind is whether you struggle with grinding your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, we may recommend that you start wearing a dental guard. A dental guard can help not only protect your veneer but your natural teeth as well, since tooth grinding can wear down enamel.
4. How Do I Pick Between Porcelain and Resin Veneers?
The best way to know which option could work best for you is to stop by for a consultation. We would be happy to let you know, based on our experience and your needs, what we recommend.
Cosmetic bonding like resin may work for patients who only need minor corrections, and who have good tooth functionality. Patients who need more comprehensive corrections and a stronger material may want to consider going with porcelain veneers.
5. Can I Get Just One Veneer at a Time?
While getting a single veneer may be possible, it’s often considered better to have an even number of veneers. This can help give the best aesthetic results. For instance, if you want to have one of your lateral incisors covered, we may recommend that you have a veneer placed over your other lateral incisor. This can help your smile look even and well-matched.
6. Do Veneers Decay Faster Than Natural Teeth?
The strength of porcelain veneers means they are very resistant to decay. Veneers do not decay faster than natural teeth, but taking good care of them is key. Just remember to keep up with your daily dental cleanings, and your routine professional cleanings.
Ready for More Information?
The flexibility of our various treatment options can help us find you the right fit for your needs. If you’re ready to learn more about veneers, or one of our alternative treatments, schedule a consultation with us at Steven C. Hewett, DDS in Champions Gate, FL, today to learn more!
