Before Getting Veneers, There Are 10 Things You Should Know

Do you admire having perfectly aligned and dazzling teeth like most celebrities? Besides making you feel embarrassed about showing your smile, dental imperfections can affect your self-confidence significantly. Thankfully, you can take advantage of cosmetic dentistry to perfect your smile. Whether your teeth have stains, chips, cracks, gapped, or slightly misaligned, dental veneers are a cost-effective and quick option to get the smile of your dreams.

If you are wondering what getting dental veneers entails and whether they can work for you, below are 10 facts you should know about veneers.

• What are dental veneers?

A veneer is a thin composite or porcelain shell that is adhered to a tooth to repair or hide the damage. Unlike dental crowns, which cover the entire the tooth, veneers only cover the tooth’s front surface. The veneer is customized to match your natural teeth shade, size, and shape to provide a uniform smile.

• Who are eligible to get veneers?

While veneers are effective, they might only be ideal for some. Our dentist in Merrimack, NH, can examine your dental imperfections to determine whether veneers are right for you. In most cases, dental veneers help:

• Brighten stained or discolored teeth
• Improve the size and shape of a tooth
• Repair minor tooth chips and cracks
• Close improper teeth gaps
• Correct minor misalignments
• Improve a gummy smile

• When aren’t veneers right for you?

It’s worth noting that veneers are only suitable for minor imperfections. If the defects are relatively large, you might need more complex treatments like dental crowns, braces, or Invisalign. Similarly, veneers might not be suitable for people who grind or clench their teeth. Existing oral problems such as gum disease or tooth decay can also disqualify you from the procedure.

• Getting veneers process

Getting veneers is quick, minimally invasive, and straightforward. Once the dentist has established your candidacy for the procedure, you only need two dental appointments to transform your smile. On the first appointment, the dentist will prepare the tooth by shaving a minor portion of the enamel.

Then, the dentist will take impressions to prepare a mold and send it to a dental lab to make the custom veneer. The dentist will fit a temporary restoration to protect your tooth until the permanent veneer is ready. Once ready, the dentist will replace the temporary restoration with a customized veneer.

• Dental veneers recovery

It should be quick and easy if you’re curious about how long it takes to recover after getting veneers. Immediately after the procedure, you might feel minor sensitivity or soreness. However, these effects should fade away after a few hours. To manage the symptoms, avoid hot, cold, spicy, crunchy, and hard foods and maintain excellent oral hygiene.

• Are dental veneers permanent?

While veneers are strong and durable, they won’t last forever. With proper care and hygiene, veneers can last for many years. Composite veneers are less durable, lasting little less. Damaging habits like chewing ice, teeth grinding and poor hygiene will lessen the lifespan of your veneers.

• Can veneers stain?

Unlike natural teeth, tooth veneers are made from artificial materials, making them non-porous. They are more resistant to staining than natural teeth. However, exposing your veneers to staining ingredients like coffee, soda, and tobacco will eventually cause the veneers to look dull or discolored. To maintain your bright smile, be sure to avoid staining ingredients. If you must take these items, brush or rinse your mouth afterward.

• Can you whiten veneers?

Since veneers are non-porous, they won’t respond to teeth bleaching like natural teeth. If your smile is stained, teeth whitening will only work on your natural teeth, leaving the veneers stained. The only sure way to brighten your smile uniformly is to replace the veneer with a new one or another restoration like a crown.

• Benefits of veneers

There are many benefits of getting veneers. For starters, veneers repair teeth damage like cracks, chips, gaps, and stains, improving the appearance of your smile. Repairing these damages also prevents further damage to the tooth, protecting your oral health. Having a beautiful and healthy mouth will improve your self-confidence.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in dental veneers in Merrimack, NH? Contact Yelena Popkova, DDS – Merrimack, for more information.