Veneers
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a means of giving your smile an aesthetic makeover using thin shells of porcelain. The veneers are bonded over the front-facing surfaces of your teeth, giving them an entirely new appearance.
Why should I consider porcelain veneers?
Veneers are an option for anyone who suffers from tooth discoloration of a type that can’t be treated with professional tooth whitening. They can also improve the appearance of teeth that have suffered small chips, cracks, or other wear and tear. Veneers can even help in cases where there are minor gaps or spaces between teeth, or if you have teeth that don’t line up properly.
There are many cases where veneers may be a great option for improving the look of your smile.
What does getting veneers involve?
As veneers are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth, a minor amount of reshaping and preparation is required. For this reason, veneers are best done in instances where other treatments are unable to achieve the results you want.
Once any outstanding concerns with your oral health have been addressed, getting veneers will normally take two visits. The first will involve preparing each of your teeth and choosing the best color for your new veneers. Though the reshaping of your teeth will be fairly minor, a local anesthetic will still be used to ensure your comfort during the procedure.
Once this step is complete, Dr. Lanie will make an impression of your teeth which will be used to design your veneers to be a perfect fit. This impression will be sent to a dental lab where the veneers will be manufactured. You may be provided with temporary veneers while you wait for these to be ready. On your next visit, the final veneers will be bonded into place.
How do I care for my veneers?
You should care for your teeth as you normally would; brushing twice a day and flossing. Regular exams with the dentist are still important, during which the condition of your veneers will be checked.
If properly cared for, your new veneers should last for many years before they need to be replaced. You should keep in mind, however, that damaged veneers cannot be repaired, only replaced. For this reason, you should be careful not to chip them. Avoid biting into hard objects or using your teeth to open packages.
Also, while veneers will resist staining, you should still be sure to brush your teeth after drinking anything that might cause stains, such as tea, coffee, soft drinks, or wine.
