Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin tooth-colored shells placed over the front surface of the teeth to enhance their aesthetics. Veneers are generally made of porcelain or composite resin and are permanently bonded to the tooth surface.

When are Veneers Required?

  • Dental veneers can be used to correct the following dental problems:
  • Improving the aesthetics of a smile: Because dental veneers closely resemble natural teeth, they are placed over the front surface of the tooth to provide an even and symmetrical smile.
  • Covering stained teeth: In certain cases, stained teeth cannot be whitened using bleach. Under such circumstances, veneers are placed on teeth to provide for an aesthetically pleasing smile.
  • Chipped or broken tooth: A chipped and broken tooth can dent an individual’s confidence and impact their smile. Veneers are placed over a broken and chipped tooth to restore the aesthetics of the teeth.
  • Crooked teeth: Like chipped and broken teeth, crooked teeth also can blemish a beautiful smile. Dentists often use veneers to improve the look of such teeth.
  • Filling Uneven Spaces: Uneven or large spaces between upper teeth can be covered with veneers to provide for a symmetrical and even smile.
  • Crowded teeth can be covered with veneers to provide for a better smile
  • Worn out teeth can often distort a smile and lower a patient’s self-esteem.
  • Veneers can be used to improve the aesthetics of worn out teeth to restore the smile.

Porcelain veneers

All veneers are custom-made in a dental laboratory to fit a patient’s tooth perfectly. These veneers are strong, long-lasting, and do not stain easily. However, fitting porcelain veneers to a tooth often requires the removal of multiple layers beyond the outermost tooth structure called enamel making it an irreversible procedure.

Procedure

The initial step for placing a veneer onto the tooth involves removing enamel from the front and sides of the teeth. This is done to create room for veneers to fit onto the tooth and make it look as natural as possible.

Following enamel removal, the dentist takes an impression of the prepared teeth and sends it to the dental laboratory. A custom veneer is then manufactured using a shade which best suits a patients smile and surrounding natural teeth. The manufacturing of veneers may take several days and a temporary veneer is put in place during the meantime.

The dentist then places the veneers onto the prepared teeth and checks the shape and fit. Post adjustments, the prepared teeth are thoroughly cleaned and veneers are bonded onto them.

No-prep veneers

The application of the traditional porcelain veneers often requires removal of tooth structure beneath the outermost layer, enamel. This is an irreversible process and can cause significant discomfort to the patients. No-prep veneers are a non-invasive alternative to the traditional veneers and can be placed onto the tooth enamel eliminating the need for preparing the tooth. Unlike in traditional veneers procedure, anesthesia may not be required for no-prep veneers owing to its minimally invasive nature.

Things to keep in mind before getting veneers

There are certain parameters a patient must satisfy before getting veneers:

  • Teeth and gums of a patient must be healthy before veneers are placed onto their surface. Dentists will treat and clean decayed teeth before veneers are placed on them.
  • Veneers are not recommended for people who grind or clench their teeth.
  • Porcelain veneers may easily chip or break when put under pressure. Dentists may suggest wearing dental mouthguards for safeguarding veneers when a patient sleeps.
  • The patient needs to keep in mind that the process of enamel removal is irreversible and cannot be undone once the dentist proceeds with the preparation of the teeth for veneers.
  • Dental veneers can loosen out over time and should be replaced in such instances.

What to expect after the veneers have been placed on the teeth?

Some of the things a patient needs to be aware of after getting veneers are:

  • Veneers are prone to chipping and breaking under pressure. Patients should avoid chewing on fingernails, ice, and other hard objects.
  • Getting accustomed to veneers may take a few days. However, in case a patient fees that there is a problem with their bite, they should visit the dentist immediately.
  • Keeping gums and teeth clean is of primal importance as cavities can develop in and around veneers and result in severe tooth decay.

We, at LaCanne Family Dental, provide for all your needs pertaining to dental services and routine exams. Our dentists with their entire team persist to present you with exceptional treatment that enhances and maintains the beauty of your smile.