Veneers require permanently altering your tooth enamel so they are considered irreversible.
During your consultation with Dr. Barton, she will assess your teeth to make sure you have no oral health problems and are a good candidate for veneers.
Dental crowns are about 2mm thick and require the removal of a small amount of enamel from the top and sides of your tooth to create space for the crown.
We need to remove ½ mm of enamel from the front of your teeth to fit the veneers on top.
After we shave down your teeth slightly, we will take digital scans of your teeth and use a shade guide to determine the shade for your veneers. We’ll send these to a dental lab that will use them to fabricate your dream veneers.
After a few weeks, we will receive your veneers and you will be called back to check the fit and appearance of the veneers. If you’re happy with them, we will bond them to your teeth.
If you have a lot of tooth stains or tooth discoloration, we can use a shade guide to determine the shade of your teeth and go several shades lighter for your veneers. We recommend having your teeth whitened so this is uniform with the rest of your teeth. Veneers are stain-resistant and remain the same shade for their entire lifespan so it’s a great alternative to just getting your teeth whitened.
Many people have chips and cracks or enamel erosion in their teeth from dental trauma, teeth grinding, or injury. Veneers will cover this up not only for cosmetic purposes but to protect your teeth from breaking and worsening the damage. Veneers last a lot longer than dental bonding so this is a long-term solution for repairing damaged teeth.
Sometimes we’re simply dissatisfied with the way our teeth look because they’re too small, too sharp, or awkwardly shaped. No matter what the reason for your dissatisfaction with your teeth is, veneers are a highly durable and long-lasting solution to achieve your dream smile.
Do you have minor orthodontic problems such as slightly crooked teeth or have small gaps between your teeth? Skip costly orthodontic treatment by covering it up with veneers! Veneers will create a perfectly straight aesthetic so no one will know your teeth are misaligned or have spaces between them.
.png)
Veneers can be made out of composite resin, which is less popular and less durable.
Anyone who is in good oral health and is unhappy with the appearance of their teeth is a great candidate for veneers. We don’t recommend veneers for those who grind their teeth, because they are at a high risk of damaging or breaking them. You need to be willing to care for and protect your veneers.
Porcelain veneers can last for up to 15 years before needing to be replaced. By practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding eating hard and sticky foods, using your teeth as tools, as well as limiting staining foods and drinks, your veneers will last much longer.
Unfortunately, you can't go back to your normal teeth after veneers, but you won’t need to. Veneers look and feel like your natural teeth and enhance your smile. It makes no sense to go back to your natural teeth if they're still damaged or discolored. Veneers involve the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. This alteration is irreversible, and your natural teeth will always require some form of dental restoration moving forward.
Veneers offer both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some common pros and cons of veneers:
Pros of Veneers:
- Enhance Your Smile: Veneers provide a natural-looking, symmetrical, and attractive smile by improving the color, shape, size, and alignment of teeth.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining, allowing for a long-lasting bright smile.
- Durability: Veneers are durable and can last for a decade or longer with proper care.
Cons of Veneers:
- Irreversible Procedure: The process of getting veneers involves the permanent removal of a small amount of tooth enamel.
- Sensitivity: Some individuals may experience temporary tooth sensitivity after getting veneers.
No, getting veneers is a painless treatment that only takes up to an hour. The only invasive activity is shaving bits of the enamel. This may leave you with sensitive teeth but won’t be painful. However, some patients might need local anesthetic when shaving the enamel. Otherwise, the rest of the procedure is painless and largely involves gluing the veneers to your teeth surface.
The teeth under veneers remain intact and function like normal teeth. The dentist only shaves bits of the enamel and doesn’t reach the pulp cavity that houses sensitive nerve fibers and blood vessels.
Veneers protect the front surface of your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria and discoloration from pigments. However, this doesn’t mean you should neglect proper hygiene. The sides and the back of these teeth are still vulnerable to bacterial infection. This infection can lead to dental decay and loosen the veneers, putting them at risk for failure.
Dentists might recommend gum contouring for some patients for better aesthetic appeal. Gum contouring involves shaping the gum line for better symmetry. They’re also done on patients whose teeth appear short.
Patients must wait at least two hours after getting veneers to eat. This allows proper curing of the dental glue and wearing off of the anesthesia, if applicable. While eating, it’s important to avoid hard foods like raw carrots, nuts, and apples. Also, steer clear of popcorn, hard candy, caramel, and other sticky substances.
Sometimes veneers fall off in rare cases. If they do, stay calm and store the veneer in a container of milk. Schedule an emergency dental visit, and your dentist will put them back in place.
At Harmony Dentistry, we offer a range of veneer options to suit the unique needs and preferences of our patients. One of the most popular types of veneers we provide is porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are thin shells made from high-quality dental porcelain that are custom-designed to fit over the front surface of your teeth. These veneers are incredibly versatile and can be used to address a variety of cosmetic concerns, including chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misalignments.
Porcelain veneers offer numerous benefits that make them an excellent choice for enhancing your smile. Here are some of the key advantages of porcelain veneers:
1. Natural appearance: Porcelain closely resembles the color and translucency of natural teeth, creating a seamless and lifelike appearance. The veneers are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your existing teeth, ensuring a natural-looking result.
2. Durability: Porcelain is a strong and durable material that can withstand normal biting and chewing forces. With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers can last for many years, providing you with a long-lasting solution for improving your smile.
3. Stain resistance: Porcelain is highly resistant to stains, meaning your veneers will retain their beautiful appearance even after consuming staining substances like coffee, tea, or red wine. This makes porcelain veneers an ideal choice for individuals who want to enjoy a bright, white smile without worrying about discoloration.
4. Minimally invasive: Porcelain veneers require minimal tooth preparation compared to other cosmetic dental treatments. The process involves removing a thin layer of enamel from the front surface of your teeth to create space for the veneers. This conservative approach helps preserve the natural structure of your teeth while still achieving remarkable smile transformations.
5. Boost in confidence: One of the most significant benefits of porcelain veneers is the boost in self-confidence they can provide. With a beautifully enhanced smile, you'll feel more comfortable and proud to show off your teeth in social and professional settings.
The veneer application process typically requires two visits to Harmony Dentistry over a few weeks. During the first visit, our dentists will conduct a thorough consultation to understand your goals, assess your oral health, and design your custom veneers. A small portion of your tooth enamel will then be gently removed, and temporary veneers will be fitted. During your second visit, the temporary veneers are replaced with your custom porcelain veneers, providing an instant transformation. You'll leave our office with a rejuvenated, confident smile that you'll be proud to show off. Remember, the Harmony Dentistry team is with you every step of the way.
If you have any further questions about porcelain veneers or any other dental treatments we offer, please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Porcelain veneers last up to 15 years but composite resin veneers only last 4 to 8.
© Harmony Dentistry 2024
.png)
.png)
.png)