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Any time you want to make sure that you are making the most of your oral health care, one of the best things you can do is invest in a quality set of veneers. These veneers, often crafted with porcelain, allow you to put your best foot forward with your oral health care, creating a beautiful aesthetic that you otherwise would not have been able to experience. When this is what you are looking for, there are a number of oral health care professionals who would be happy to assist you with whatever you need.

However, prior to getting the dental veneers that you need, you should be sure that you understand what to expect from these veneers, in order to make the absolute most of them. As you ask yourself what are dental veneers, this guide will clearly outline it, in order to provide you with the service that you desire.

What Are Teeth Veneers?

Before you look any further, you need to consider what teeth veneers are.  Dental veneers are wafer-thin and custom-made shells which are the same colour as the teeth.  The materials are designed to cover the front of the surface of the teeth and will improve the appearance of the teeth.  These thin shells will be bonded to the front of your teeth and they will change the colour, size, and shape of the teeth.

Dental veneers are generally made of porcelain or a resin compound material.  Porcelain dental veneers will generally be more resistant to stains than the resin ones.  They will also be better at mimicking the reflection of light of natural teeth.  It is important that you talk about the best choice of material for the veneers with your dentist as porcelain may not be the best option for you.

What Are Dental Veneers Able to Treat?

There are a number of problems that teeth veneers are able to fix and you need to be aware of this.  Teeth veneers will generally be used to treat discoloured teeth.  This discolouration would be due to a root canal, being stained by drugs and tetracycline or by excessive fluoride.  The presence of large resin fillings will also cause tooth discolouration and veneers will be able to cover this.

When teeth are worn down, veneers will also be able to help.  If you have chipped or broken teeth, dental veneers will also be able to help.  If you have uneven, misaligned and irregular shaped teeth, veneers can cover these up.  Gaps between your teeth can also be closed when you have veneers.

What Is the Process of Getting Teeth Veneers?

If you want to get veneers, you will need to take 3 trips to the dentist to complete the entire procedure.  The first visit to the dentist will be the consultation to find out more about the veneers and the process.   The second trip will be to have the veneers made and the last visit will be the application of the veneers. During this process, there are 3 steps that a tooth or teeth will have to go through.  It is important to note that more than one tooth may go through these processes at a time.

The Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

This is the first step in the process and will require your active participation.  During this step, you will need to explain to your dentist what you are trying to achieve.  In this appointment, your dentists will examine your teeth to check that teeth veneers will be the right option for you and will be appropriate for your teeth.  The dentists will also discuss what the process is going to be and what the limitations are with this procedure.

During this process, your dentist may also take x-rays and an impression of your mouth and teeth.  This will help them better determine if teeth veneers are the best solution for your issues.

Preparation

In order to prepare your teeth for the veneers, your dentist will need to remove around 1/2 millimetre of the enamel of the tooth surface.  This will be the same thickness as the veneers which will be added to the surface of the teeth.  It is important to note that before this preparation is done, your dentists may need to administer a local anaesthetic to the area.  This will number the area and ensure that you do not feel any pain while the process is being completed.

Once the preparation has been completed, the dentists will make an impression or a model of the teeth.  This model of the teeth will be sent to the dental laboratory and used to construct the veneers.  The laboratory will generally take 2 to 4 weeks to create the veneers and send them to your dentist.  If you have any unsightly teeth, a temporary dental veneer will be placed on the teeth.

Bonding

Before the dental veneers are placed on the tooth, your dentists will temporarily place it on the tooth to ensure that the colour and fit is correct.  The dentists will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer to ensure that it fits the tooth correctly.  The colour of the veneer will also be adjusted through the use of different shades of cement.

Once the trimming has been completed, your tooth is going to be cleaned, polished and etched.  Etching the tooth will roughen it to ensure that the bonding process is strong and will remain in place for a prolonged period of time.  When the position of the veneer on the tooth has been finalised, your dentist is going to apply a special beam of light.  This light will activate the chemicals in the cement which will cause it to harden and cure at a very fast rate.

The final step in the bonding process will be to remove the excess cement from the veneer.  Your bite will also be evaluated and any final adjustments will be made to ensure that everything is correctly in place.  Your dentist will generally ask you to return to the office for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check that the gums are correctly responding to the veneers.  The placement of the veneers will also be examined to ensure that they are still in place.

What are the benefits of dental veneers?

Knowing the process of teeth veneers being placed is important, but you need to know what the advantages are before choosing this. 

Natural appearance – The primary advantage of teeth veneers is the fact that they provide the appearance of a natural tooth.  This is important because it will impact your smile and could affect your psychologically.

Typically do not cause gum irritation – another advantage of these veneers is the fact that gum tissue will generally tolerate it very well. 

Stain resistant – porcelain veneers will also be stain resistant which makes them ideal for people who often have stained teeth.  Another benefit of porcelain veneers is the fact that the colour can be selected so that dark teeth will appear whiter.

Alter tooth shape and colour – the last benefit of veneers that you need to know about is the fact that they offer a conservative approach to changing the shape and colour of your teeth.  Veneers will not generally require any extensive shaping in the way that crowns do.  However, they will offer you a stronger and more aesthetically pleasing alternative.

Permanently white teeth – One of the biggest advantages of porcelain veneers is that it offers permanently white teeth. There is no need for any bleaching or any other teeth whitening treatment to maintain the white colour of the veneers. Also, it adds an extra layer of protection to teeth. It also makes the teeth less sensitive and provides a very natural looking colour to teeth. There are a number of brands available in the market today that make these non-invasive porcelain veneers.

What are the disadvantages of dental veneers?

It is important to note that there are some downsides to dental veneers and you need to know about this.  The primary disadvantage is the fact that the veneer process will not be reversible.  Veneers will also be more costly than composite resin bonding and you need to consider this.  If the veneer is cracked or chipped, you will not be able to repair them.

As enamel has to be removed when veneers are placed, they could be more sensitive to hot and cold.  There are also certain beverages which your teeth will be more sensitive to.  In terms of the aesthetics of veneers, it is possible that the teeth with the veneers will not be the exact colour as the other teeth.  Once the veneer has been placed, you will also not be able to alter the colour once the veneers are in place.  If you are thinking of whitening your teeth, you should do this before the veneers are placed.

While it is not likely, there is a chance that the veneer will fall off and be dislodged.  If you want to minimise the chance of this happening, you should avoid biting your nails, chewing on pencils or other hard objects.  You should also avoid putting any excessive pressure on the teeth.

What Are Teeth Veneers Lifespan?

If you are going to get dental veneers, you need to consider how long they are going to last.  If the veneers are looked after correctly, they will generally last between 7 and 15 years.  After this amount of time, the veneer will need to be replaced with a new one.  If you have any unhealthy dental habits, this can shorten the lifespan of the veneers.

Do Dental Veneers Require Special Care?

There are certain dental products that require special care such as dentures.  However, teeth veneers will not require any special care other than following good oral hygiene practices.  These practices will include correctly brushing and flossing as well as rinsing your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash.  While porcelain veneers will be resistant to stains, your dentists may still recommend that you avoid any foods that cause staining such as tea, red wine, and coffee.

Are There Alternatives To Dental Veneers?

There are some alternatives to dental veneers that you could consider such as crowns and bonding.  The benefit of veneers over these other options is that they will be an immediate option.  Veneers are also best suited to people who want to change the shape of their teeth more than a bit, but not enough to need a crown.  Small changes to the shape of teeth can be accomplished with bonding.

What Are the Costs Of Teeth Veneers?

Once you know the answer of what are teeth veneers, you will need to consider the costs.  The cost of the veneers will vary depending on where in the country you live and the extent of the procedure you are undergoing.  The average cost of veneers will range from $1,000 to $2,000 per tooth.  It is also important to note that veneers are generally not covered by your insurance.  However, you will need to check this with your dental insurance because it may be covered depending on the reasons for the veneers.

When you are looking into what are teeth veneers, there is a lot of information that you need to know about.  You need to know about the materials that are going to be used as well as the process that you will be going through. Talking to your dentist about the procedure is important and will ensure that you are getting the right veneers for your situation.  Your dentist will also be able to determine if veneers are an option for you based on your dental habits.

How can I get a high quality set of dental veneers?

One you want to be sure that you are getting the high quality dental veneers that you deserve, first thing you should do is to begin reaching out to dental professionals who can look out for you. You can start doing this by reaching out to American dental Association certified dentist in your area school specialize in veneers.

These veneers will be long lasting for you, so never sell yourself short in this regard. You should always be making sure that you are doing business with the highest quality dentist around, subject their credentials and be sure that they are licensed and insured.

From here, you will need to receive a consultation from the dentist significant walking through the process and give you a clear idea and indication of what you can expect. This will help to put your mind at ease about the procedure, while also keeping you informed along the way.

How do I find the help of professional dentists who can assist me?

One of the best things you can do is reach out to people who have used the dentist before. Look around your community and seek the help of dentists who come highly recommended by other people. A reference and testimonial can go a long way in this regard, so give yourself the opportunity to reach out to plenty of people who enjoy the service that these professionals provide on a regular basis.