Cosmetic Procedures with Dental Veneers Enhances the Appearance of Your Teeth and Smile

Dental veneers are cosmetic procedures aiming to enhance the appearance of your teeth and smile after they are attached to the front surfaces of your teeth. Veneers can conceal defects on your teeth like color, shape, and size not in line with your wish.

Veneers are attached permanently to the teeth and fabricated from porcelain or composite resin. They are unlike dental implants used to replace a missing tooth or crowns that entirely encase a tooth. A veneer is attached to the front surface of the top front teeth.

If you need veneer placement, you can either have the traditional variety with porcelain veneers. On the other hand, you can even consider alternatives like composite resin veneers and different types available on the market. However, it would be helpful to realize you must undergo an intensive procedure if you decide on porcelain veneers.

Factors Indicating You Need Veneer Placements

Dental veneers are routinely sought after by many people for aesthetic purposes. People are looking forward to enhancing their appearance by having veneer placements. Veneers can help brighten teeth and give people a more symmetrical smile. Veneer placements are also beneficial to improve broken or damaged teeth, cavities between uneven teeth, discolored teeth not responding to teeth whitening treatments, or smaller than average teeth. Dental veneers also cover slightly crooked teeth. However, if the patient has a severe problem, they are recommended orthodontic treatments before getting veneers.

Veneer placement must be carried out by an experienced professional like the dentist in Scottsdale. The dentist must evaluate the patient to determine their suitability for these placements. Some people are unsuitable for dental veneers because they have unhealthy teeth or are suffering from gum disease. People with fractures on their teeth or extensive decay are also considered ineligible for dental veneers.

Preparing for Dental Veneers

When preparing for dental veneers, patients undergo an oral exam from their dentist. The dentist evaluates the condition of the patient’s teeth to ensure no signs of tooth decay or gum disease are present. A panoramic x-ray is taken of the patient’s teeth, and after the initial examination, half-a-millimeter of tooth enamel is removed to make space for the porcelain veneer. The enamel removal is performed under local anesthesia if the patient is anxious about dental procedures. After the preparation, the patient receives temporary veneers on their teeth as protection until the dental laboratory customizes the permanent veneers.

Dental Veneer Placement

The patient must schedule another appointment with the dentist to have the final veneer placement. The dental laboratory requires two to three weeks to fabricate the veneers for the patient’s mouth, and when they are ready, returns them to the dentist’s office.

During the second appointment, the dentist matches the veneers for the size, shape, and color of the teeth to ensure they don’t look different in the patient’s mouth. After the matching, the dentist thoroughly cleans the patient’s teeth to ensure the surfaces are clean and no bacteria are trapped beneath the veneers. Patients can expect additional grinding of their teeth to roughen their surface, making it easier for the mask to adhere to the tooth. Dental veneer placement requires about 30 minutes, and after all preparations are finished, the dentist applies dental cement to the tooth receiving the veneer and bonds the same to it. Some dentists use ultraviolet light to harden the cement faster.

What Happens after Veneer Placement

Patients have their new smiles with better-looking teeth immediately after veneer placement. There is no downtime for dental veneers, and patients can begin eating and drinking directly after the placement. These surfaces do not require any special attention besides maintaining good dental hygiene.

Porcelain veneers have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years, although they are the most expensive variety available. If patients have chosen alternatives like composite resin veneers, they can expect to pay a lower price but must have the bodies replaced every 5 to 7 years.

Dentists advise patients with veneers not to use their teeth to open packages, chew on hard objects like pens, pencils, ice, and fingernails. Dental veneers are prone to chipping and cracking, and patients must take care not to chew with their front teeth. Following their dentist’s advice will help patients prolong the lifespan of their dental placements and continue enjoying their smile longer.