When to Use Veneers?

Veneers are used to close gaps or cover teeth that are stained, poorly shaped, or slightly crooked. Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel. When you feel and look good, you project a confident self-image. So, make the most of your smile. Ask your dentist what veneers can do for you.

How Veneers are Applied

Having a tooth “veneered” is a procedure requiring just a few appointments. To provide form and help strengthen a veneer, a small amount of enamel may be removed from the front and edge of the tooth. An impression of the tooth is then made and sent to a dental laboratory where the veneer is made to match the color and shape of your teeth according to your dentist’s specifications. When it is time to attach the veneer, your tooth is prepared by roughing the front surface with a mild etching solution. Using composite resin cements, the veneer is set in place. Placing a veneer is often an irreversible process because of the small amount of enamel that is usually removed to accommodate the thickness of the veneer shell.

Aftercare

As with your natural teeth, veneers require good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. To keep your veneers looking as good as new, follow your dentist’s recommendations. In some cases, certain foods can cause discoloration. These include tea, coffee, red wine, other heavily pigmented foods, and tobacco. Veneers can chip or peel off if not cared for properly, so avoid habits such as fingernail biting, chewing on ice, and other hard objects. Like any restoration, it is possible for the veneer to come off or for small decay to develop. In that situation a new veneer may be required.