Dental veneers are one of the most popular options in cosmetic dentistry. Veneers are made of porcelain and are very thin panels that cover the front of a tooth that has issues. Whilst the porcelain panel is quite thin, it's still opaque enough to conceal damage, cover gaps and repair other issues as well. Although veneers are made from the same material as crowns, they are considered purely cosmetic rather than a functional correction like crowns. Read on to learn the most essential info about veneers.
Problems That Veneers Can Help With
Veneers can help with a variety of problems, including all of the following.
- Discolouration: if tooth discolouration isn't correctable with teeth whitening, veneers can conceal the discolouration completely.
- Gaps between the teeth: if you have gaps between the teeth, veneers can be sized to conceal them quite effectively.
- Minor alignment issues: if one or more of your teeth are slightly skewed, this can be concealed with veneers; however, major alignment issues are better addressed with retainers, braces or a clear teeth straightening system.
- Chips: chips in the teeth are easily concealed with porcelain veneers -- the tooth can look complete and beautiful again.
- Cracks: as long as a crack isn't causing significant structural issues within the tooth, the crack can be concealed and protected with a veneer.
How the Veneers Process Works
The veneers process is usually completed over two or three visits to the dentist. In the first visit, your dentist will do a visual exam along with X-ray imaging. This can help your dentist design the best plan for veneers. Once you've agreed on a treatment plan with your dentist, a mould of your teeth -- the tooth that needs the veneer and the surrounding teeth -- will be created. The mould is sent to a dental lab where it will serve as a guide to create a porcelain veneer made just for you.
Your dentist will typically remove a small amount of tooth enamel during either the first appointment or during a follow-up appointment. This creates the ideal surface for the veneer, and it also ensures that the veneer doesn't change the projection of your tooth.
The veneer will be returned to your dentist once it's completed at the lab. Your dentist will set it into place atop your tooth using a high quality and ultra-strong dental bond. After that, your new veneer is permanently set in place and you need to do nothing other than enjoy your beautiful new smile.
Contact your cosmetic dentist today to learn more about how veneers can refresh and revitalise your smile.
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