Considering Veneers? Here’s All You Need to Know
Your smile is a crucial part of your personality. It allows you to connect with others, showcase a trustworthy appearance, and serve as a recognized sign of kindness. For that reason, many patients who feel insecure about their smile’s appearance seek cosmetic dentistry in Decatur, AL, for a slight aesthetic enhancement.
Among cosmetic treatments, dental veneers are one of the most popular ones. This simple but effective procedure can help hide imperfections and give your smile a brand-new look, fostering self-confidence and pride among patients.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are thin, shell-like covers applied to the front of teeth to hide imperfections. They are custom-designed in shape, color, and length to blend in seamlessly with your smile and facial structure, ensuring an attractive and natural-looking grin.
They can be made from porcelain or resin-composite materials, and can be used to cover:
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Severe discoloration, uneven coloring, or intrinsic stains that can’t be fixed with teeth whitening
- Gaps in the teeth or diastema
- Misshapen, smaller-than-average, or pointed teeth
When a tooth is broken or chipped, some people may only receive one veneer; however, many receive six to eight veneers to achieve a symmetrical, even smile. Veneers are most frequently applied to the upper eight teeth in the front.
Who’s a Candidate for Dental Veneers?
Anyone looking to enhance their smile is a good candidate for dental veneers. However, enjoying good oral health is paramount for any cosmetic treatment, especially for veneers, as placing them over damaged or decayed teeth will encapsulate the infection and leave it to foster—even risking tooth loss over time.
If you have cavities or gum disease, you’ll need to have the dentist fix them before you qualify for veneers. Additionally, veneer placement involves filing a small amount of the enamel to make room for the adhesive and veneers. Therefore, if you already have thin enamel, you may not have enough to accommodate veneers.
How’s the Process for Getting Veneers?
Veneer placement isn’t a complex procedure but may involve several visits. Here’s a breakdown of how the process generally looks like:
- At your first appointment, your dentist will assess your teeth and gums to determine if veneers are a good fit for you.
- If you qualify, we will remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to prepare them. After that, they will take impressions of your teeth, which will be forwarded to a dental lab technician to make your custom veneers.
- The dental lab may need several weeks to finish your veneers. Meanwhile, your dentist can apply temporary veneers if needed.
- The lab will ship your veneers to your dentist’s office after the technician completes them. We will make any necessary adjustments after bonding them to your teeth.
Improve Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry in Decatur, AL
If you have cracks, chips, stains, and other cosmetic imperfections in your smile that hamper your self-confidence, veneers can be a solution. Besides covering these issues and giving your grin a brand-new look, the veneer placement process requires a thorough dental exam, giving us an opportunity to assess your oral health in detail.
At Terry Family Dentistry, we aim to help you improve your smile without risking your oral health. Contact us today for more information!