Dental Veneers For A Beautiful Smile
Having a smile that makes you feel confident is important. Practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental cleanings go a long way to keep your teeth healthy, but there may be things you want to change about the appearance of your teeth that go beyond routine care. There are cosmetic dental treatment options available to you to help you enhance the appearance of your smile. For esthetic issues that you may have with your teeth, porcelain veneers may be a solution for you.
Porcelain veneers are a custom-made restoration that is attached directly to the front side of your existing teeth. Veneers can be a great solution for difficult to correct esthetic issues such as color of your teeth, unwanted spacing or gaps between teeth, and the size of your teeth.
If you are considering porcelain veneers, a consultation appointment is recommended to determine if you would be a good candidate for the procedure. We want to help you make a treatment choice that is aligned with your goals, your budget, and the current state of your oral health.
The Veneer Process
Following a consultation appointment, if you are a candidate for veneers, making the restorations involves several steps:
- At the first visit, your dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers by reshaping the existing teeth so that the veneers will fit securely. This preparation step includes your dentist removing a layer of the enamel on the front side of the tooth.
- The next step is for your dentist to take an impression of your teeth to send to the dental lab. Your dentist will also assess the shade of your existing teeth so that your veneers will match.
- Once your veneers have been made by the lab, it is time for your final visit and the delivery of the veneers. Prior to bonding the veneers to your teeth, your dentist will complete a cleaning and polishing step. This step will also include preparing the front of the teeth being covered by etching the surface of the teeth with an abrasive liquid. This step helps to make sure that the veneers bond to the existing teeth successfully. The last step is applying a bonding cement onto the surface of the teeth and adhering the veneers over the teeth. Once the cement has dried the process is complete. You are all set to walk out of the dental office with your brand-new smile.
Types Of Dental Veneers
If you are considering getting dental veneers, there are different options to consider. A consultation with Dr. Carlin or Dr. Chris will help you walk through the veneer options available and discuss which type may be a good fit for you.
- Porcelain: Porcelain veneers are the most common type of veneer. Traditional porcelain veneers are a ceramic veneer that are made to have a natural look similar to your existing teeth. A benefit of this type of veneer is that it is highly esthetic. To prepare for porcelain veneers, teeth will need to be reshaped and reduced in size on the outside surface to make room for the porcelain material.
- Composite: Composite veneers are an alternative to the traditional porcelain veneers. No removal of tooth structure is needed before composite veneers are placed. While they may not have the same durability as porcelain veneers, composite veneers can be minimally invasive and less expensive alternative.
If you have concerns with your smile and are interested in exploring cosmetic dental treatment, consider scheduling a consultation at Lawhead Family Dentistry to discuss what options may be available to you. Drs. Chris and Carlin Lawhead are committed to helping patients achieve their esthetic goals by improving their smile.