How Do Veneers Work?
Veneers are tooth-colored porcelain shells. They’re used as a cosmetic treatment to improve the appearance of flawed teeth. Veneers can create a uniform and aesthetic smile in which you can feel proud and confident.
We will bond the shells to the front of your tooth enamel to hide imperfections like misalignment, damage, orthodontic issues, misshapen teeth, or abnormally small teeth. The procedure is minimally invasive, and the material used for these tooth covers is durable and stain-resistant.
Patients can choose to cover a single tooth sticking out in their smile, or if they want a complete smile makeover, they can cover all of the visible top teeth, which usually takes about 6 to 8 veneers.
Contact us at Whitestone Family Dentistry today to schedule a consultation if you want to achieve a long-lasting smile transformation with natural-looking veneers.
What Is The Veneer Placement Process?
The process always begins with a consultation with Dr. David Hsu. He will complete a smile assessment by examining your teeth to look for cosmetic problems. Digital scans will be used to rule out oral health problems and tooth damage. Candidates should be non-smokers who don’t grind their teeth and have no oral health issues.
If you’re a good candidate, our Cedar Park, TX cosmetic dentist will use a shade guide to match the porcelain to your natural teeth or any shade that you like. Then, he will numb your mouth using local anesthesia before using any invasive tools. Using a file, drill, or handheld burr, he will file down your enamel by ½ mm.
Since veneers are ½ mm thick, this creates enough space for the veneer to fit without sticking out. After prepping your teeth, we will take impressions and send them to a dental lab in charge of fabricating your veneers.
Advanced technology turns your impressions into a mold for your veneers. The lab technician will customize them to cover up your insecurities and look as natural as possible. After a few weeks, your veneers will be ready, and you will return to the office so we can check that you approve of your veneers.
If everything looks and fits right, your teeth will be cleaned and etched to help the bonding agent stick. Then, the veneers will be bonded to your enamel with dental cement.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Veneers are fabricated from strong and durable porcelain, lasting up to 20 years with proper care. On average, veneers last for 10 to 15 years, but they are not indestructible. If you aren’t careful, you can easily chip, damage, or discolor your veneers, requiring premature replacement.
How Do I Properly Care For My Veneers?
To increase your veneers’ longevity, you must first care for the teeth they are attached to. Even though your teeth are covered with veneers, bacteria can still enter the teeth from a small crevice at the gum line.
If you don’t brush and floss every day, this can quickly become tooth decay which will only worsen over time. You will need to have the veneers removed if you develop oral health problems in the underlying teeth.
Prevention through good oral hygiene is the best way to avoid this. Avoid tobacco products and smoking, which cause oral health problems and discoloration. To prevent damage to your veneers, limit wear and tear from teeth grinding by wearing a mouthguard to sleep if you have bruxism, avoid using your teeth as tools, and try not to eat hard and sticky foods.
Don’t forget to attend your dental cleanings and checkups every six months. This removes plaque and tartar that cause tooth decay and gum disease, and your dentist will check on the condition of your veneers.
