Considering Dental Veneers: What You Need to Know
If you’re unhappy with your smile, you’ve probably looked into cosmetic dentistry at one time or another. Dental veneers can improve the look of your smile and create an even, bright look to correct many unsightly issues.
Dental veneers are custom-made, thin shells of durable ceramic that are bonded to your natural teeth. They’re considered a definitive solution, so only consider dental veneers if you’re certain you want to change your smile for good.
Should you consider dental veneers? Here’s what you need to know about this form of cosmetic dentistry with your dentist in Asheville!
What Dental Veneers Are Used for
Dental veneers are used to cover certain imperfections in the smile. These imperfections are typically cosmetic, so any problems that are a threat to your dental health will need to be taken care of separately. Some imperfections that one might consider dental veneers for include:
- Chips. If your teeth are chipped in numerous places, dental veneers could be an option for you.
- Cracks. Fractured teeth might benefit from dental veneers.
- Discoloration. If your teeth have deep staining that can’t be fixed with professional whitening, veneers might be your only option to help brighten your smile.
- Worn down teeth. Teeth that are worn down due to excessive wear, such as teeth that have damage from teeth grinding, may affect your appearance and veneers may help.
- Oddly-shaped teeth. These are teeth that might be pointy, gapped, or uneven. These are all cosmetic issues that can be fixed with veneers.
Since dental veneers can fix a variety of cosmetic issues, you can have a whiter, more uniform smile if you’re not satisfied with your teeth due to any of the above problems. Since your veneers will be completely custom, you can work with your Asheville dentist services to design the smile that works best for you.
Things Dental Veneers Can’t Fix
There are certain things that dental veneers can’t fix. Although veneers can cover minor alignment problems, they can’t cover bigger issues that need to be fixed with orthodontics.
Dental veneers also can’t fix tooth decay or gum disease. You’ll need to have a healthy smile in order to be considered for this procedure. You’ll also need to have healthy tooth enamel, as dental veneers require a tiny amount of your enamel to be removed in order to properly bond with your teeth.
If you need root canal therapy, treatment for gum disease, or cavities filled, all of this will need to be taken care of before you can consider dental veneers. Your dentist may even suggest that you get your teeth whitened before the procedure just so all the teeth match and look as bright as you want them to be!
What You Can Expect with Dental Veneers
The procedure for dental veneers sometimes does not require local anesthesia. However, if you have dental anxiety or have very sensitive teeth, you can talk with your Asheville dentist about using anesthesia for your procedure.
You can schedule a consultation to find out if dental veneers are right for you. To make the most out of your dental veneers, it’s important to know what you dislike about your smile. This way, you and your dentist can work to address these problems by designing your custom veneer solution!
You can expect your dental veneers to be strong, durable, resistant to staining, and to match your natural teeth. If you want to have a whiter smile, your dentist in Asheville might suggest a professional teeth whitening before the procedure.
Although veneers are thin and light, they’re robust enough to last for years with proper care. They can hide any tooth damage you’re experiencing from chips and staining to worn-down teeth and gaps to create your dream smile.
During your procedure, a very small amount of your tooth’s natural enamel is removed to help the veneers bond properly. At the next appointment your dentist will place the veneers, then finally schedule a follow-up visit with you to ensure the veneers look as they should.
You may notice some mild tooth sensitivity in the days after your veneers are placed. However, this should go away shortly. You can talk with your dentist about any problems you’re experiencing.
How to Care for Your New Smile
Caring for your dental veneers will be very similar to caring for your regular teeth. You should brush and floss as normal. Don’t be afraid of damaging your veneers through brushing; they’re very sturdy. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be gentle, however. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste for best results.
Although your veneers are bonded directly to your existing teeth, they won’t change your risk for tooth decay. This means you should still keep up with the same practices you normally do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, including brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist.
You should avoid doing things that you wouldn’t normally do with your teeth. This includes cracking open nuts, chewing on ice, pencils, or bones. They are still your teeth, so take care of them!
If you grind your teeth, it’s imperative that you address this issue with your dentist. Grinding can damage veneers, so you need to receive treatment for this problem so that you can protect your veneers for as long as possible.
Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains, especially if you practice good oral hygiene. However, some dentists still recommend being cautious with beverages that we know stain teeth, such as red wine, coffee, and tea.
Your dentist will make sure all of your teeth match perfectly, so you can further protect your investment in cosmetic dentistry by taking care of your new dental veneers!
Have you been considering dental veneers to help improve your smile? You might just be a candidate for this cosmetic dentistry procedure that could change your smile for life. Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Asheville to see if you qualify for dental veneers to help create the smile of your dreams for a lifetime!
Unlock your perfect smile today! Schedule your appointment with us and discover the life-changing benefits of porcelain veneers.