What Are Veneers? How Do Veneers Work?

Veneers are custom-made shells that are applied to teeth to improve their appearance. They are mainly used to fix broken or chipped teeth, gaps, and unusually shaped teeth, such as smaller-than-average teeth. They can also be used in place of teeth whitening to fixing severely discolored teeth or teeth with uneven coloring.

Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers

Choosing dental veneers near you depends on various factors, including longevity, the length of the installation process, and cost. Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers. However, they last longer, are stronger and are more durable. In addition, porcelain veneers are more resistant to stains. Nevertheless, unlike composite veneers, their application process takes longer, and you may require several dental visits. They also tend to require more grinding of the tooth than composite veneers.

Aside from porcelain and composite veneers, there’s a third option called non-prep veneers. These veneers take shorter installation time and don’t always require anesthesia. They are also a good option if you want to have the layers beneath the enamel removed. Examples of non-prep veneers include Veneers and Lumineers.

Who Needs Dental Veneers?

Veneers can be used to fix one tooth or several. However, most people get six to eight veneers to create an even, symmetrical smile. These shells are mostly applied to the front teeth of eight teeth.

Veneers in San Pablo, CA, are a great choice if you want to fix a tooth gap or if you have unevenly shaped teeth. Also, it can be an excellent alternative if you’ve tried all teeth whitening options that have yet to work out. The veneer coating covers all the marks and discolorations, giving you a whiter smile.

How Are Veneers Applied?

Most dental veneers are made of porcelain or composite. At iSmile San Pablo, the application process involves filing your teeth to create room for the cement applied on top. Sometimes the tooth grinding can go even beyond the enamel. It’s important to note that this is an irreversible procedure.

However, before the treatment begins, you’ll have an appointment with your dentist in San Pablo to discuss your suitability for the procedure. For instance, if you suffer from some types of malocclusion, you may need to wear braces first to align your teeth before getting dental veneers.

Your dentist may also take an X-ray to check for any signs of decay or gum disease, which may require root canal treatment.

Once you are a suitable candidate, your dentist removes a part of your tooth’s enamel and takes an impression or mold of your teeth. This mold is then used to develop your veneers in a laboratory.

The veneers normally take a week or two to process. During your next appointment, your dentist evaluates if they are a perfect fit before thoroughly cleaning your teeth and installing them. The veneers are bonded to the tooth using dental cement.

Are Veneers Permanent?

The permanence of veneers depends on the type of veneers you install and how well you take care of them. For example, porcelain veneers last for more than ten years, and if well taken care of, they can last for as long as 20 years. Composite veneers, on the other hand, last for 5-7 years.

If you want to extend the lifespan of your veneers, there are precautions you can take to minimize the risk of damaging them. Here are a few ideas:

• First, avoid chewing hard objects such as pens, fingernails, or ice.
• Do not use your teeth to open packages.
• If you suffer from bruxism, getting a night guard or retainer for when you go to sleep would be best.
• Avoid chewing food with your front teeth and use your back teeth to eat hard foods. It would also help if you minimized how often you eat hard foods.
• Lastly, wear a mouthguard when you engage in sports.

Conclusion

Compared to crowns, veneers are a less invasive method of treatment. They are thinner and typically take a shorter time for them to be applied. The recovery process is also short, and you can quickly go back to eating and chewing as you did before. With a little bit of caution and care, veneers can last long and serve you for years.