If you usually try to hide your smile or are concerned about the condition of your teeth, this type of situation can have detrimental effects on your confidence and self-esteem. The good news is that there is a practical solution for renewing and restoring your amazing smile.
Investing in your smile with dental veneers is an effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth and promote oral health. Veneers are useful for resolving problems such as stained, cracked, and chipped teeth. However, it is important to understand what they are, the options available, and other pertinent information before making a decision.
If you are interested in getting veneers in the Lake Forest, CA area, Pankaj Narkhede, DDS is your top choice! As an award-winning dentist, he provides veneers that are artfully crafted, customized, and built to last!
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers consist of thin layers of custom-made shells that mimic the natural color of teeth and are attached to the front area of the teeth in order to enhance their appearance. They adhere to the surface of the teeth and are usually made from composite resin or porcelain materials and can last for several years as long as they are properly taken care of.
Veneers are used to address a variety of cosmetic concerns that include small, discolored, broken, and chipped teeth. Depending on the extent of the issue, some people may get a single veneer for a chipped or broken tooth but others often get as many as 8 veneers to achieve an even smile. Veneers are typically applied on the top front teeth.
Different Types of Veneers
The most commonly used materials for veneers are porcelain and resin. Seeking professional guidance from your dentist is necessary for determining the best option for you.
Porcelain
As the name suggests, porcelain veneers contain porcelain and they are bonded to the tooth surface. These types of veneers are generally regarded as the most ideal choice for patients who want their teeth to look as natural as possible. They are often more popular than their resin counterparts.
Advantages of porcelain veneers include durability and they can last for decades. They are also less susceptible to staining in comparison to resin veneers. However, these veneers require more time for placement, which can last between 2 and 3 weeks. While you wait for the procedure to be completed, your teeth are protected by special covers that you wear temporarily.
Composite Resin
Composite resin veneers contain the materials that are used for other dental procedures like fillings and bonding. This material is flexible and soft, which makes it easy for the dentist to mold and shape it accordingly. With these features, your dentist can produce composite resin veneers and place them directly on your teeth during one visit.
Applying composite resin veneers involves incising the surface of the teeth to help the shell adhere and bond more effectively. Consequently, the process of applying these veneers only affects the enamel with minimal alterations.
It is important to note that veneers are distinctly different from crowns and dental implants. While veneers are used to cover the front tooth surface, implants provide a total replacement for the tooth. Dental crowns also enclose the whole tooth but veneers are only placed on the front of the tooth that is visible when you smile.
When to Consider Veneers
Veneers do not encase the whole tooth; they are only applied to the front of the teeth that can be seen by other people. Veneers can help to make crooked front teeth straighter. You can also consider veneers for a chipped tooth, small gaps, and discoloration.
The main reason for getting dental veneers is to improve the overall appearance of teeth. This is aimed at creating an even, brighter, and whiter smile. Veneers are usually used to treat a wide range of cosmetic concerns. These include misshapen or pointed teeth; teeth that are smaller than average, gaps between teeth, discoloration or stained teeth that cannot be fixed through professional whitening, and chipped or broken teeth.
Depending on the kind of veneers you pick, they have the potential to last for a long time and are a worthwhile investment for a more aesthetic and confident smile.
The Dental Veneers Process
Although veneers are among the least invasive procedures that you can choose in cosmetic dentistry, there are a number of factors that need to be considered in regards to whether or not they are the right option. These include excessive cavities, extreme tooth crowding, chronic gum disease, underbite or crossbite, extensive tooth damage, and constant grinding of teeth.
People who have such conditions can consult their dentist about the alternatives that are available for enhancing their smiles in case veneers are not suitable. Other cosmetic dentistry procedures that can be considered include dental bonding, crown lengthening, gingival, and bone grafting depending on the nature or severity of the defect.
Another concern that may arise pertaining to veneers might be the cost, which can be a significant problem for some individuals. The price generally depends on where you are located as well as other factors such as the dentist handling the procedure and the number of teeth that you want to treat.
Placing veneers involves altering the structure of your teeth and this is permanent as you cannot restore the enamel once the veneers have been placed on your teeth. Dental veneers are a great way to hide damaged, crooked or stained teeth but it is important to keep the possible challenges in mind when you want to get them. You can select another restoration solution to improve your smile if any of these problems affect you.
Professional teeth whitening can be used to create a white smile within one appointment at your dentist's office if you are not a candidate for veneers and want a more youthful and vibrant appearance.
If a crooked smile is a reason you are considering veneers but you need an alternative due to issues such as minimal tooth enamel, orthodontics provides a straightening solution.
Consider porcelain crowns for damaged, worn down, or broken or dental bonding as a more affordable way to enhance the appearance of misshapen chipped or cracked teeth if veneers are not a viable option for your situation.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Porcelain veneers are a highly sought after cosmetic dentistry solution. Although they are not permanent, they can last for a very long time in the right candidate when they are managed correctly. In general, veneers are not regarded as permanent procedures because they will probably need to be replaced eventually but if you take care of them, they have the ability to last for decades and there are cases where some patients rarely replace them.
However, porcelain veneers are irreversible. During the procedure, your natural teeth need to be filed down to create room for the veneers in your mouth. Enamel does not grow back after it has been filed down and this means that you will always require crowns or veneers on the teeth that were treated.
How Much Do Veneers Cost?
The cost of veneers is influenced by various considerations. Porcelain veneers are generally more costly than composite resin due to the quality of the material as well as their natural appearance. Costs are also based on the number of veneers you need, the brand, the dentist's level of expertise, and the cost of living within your area.
Before you make a final decision to get veneers, it is important to keep the cost of the procedure in mind. Discuss payment plans and options with your dentist if you have concerns about the financial implications.
All in all, porcelain veneers are long-lasting, which makes a great investment. Additionally, you do not need them for all your teeth. You can get veneers for one or two teeth that have issues or just across your front teeth at the top. With proper planning through manageable financing solutions, you can achieve the smile you have always wanted.
Knowing as much as you can about dental veneers and the role they play in enhancing your smile is essential for making an informed choice about whether they are the right option for you. Veneers are valuable for dealing with numerous cosmetic issues that range from discolored to broken teeth. Benefits of getting veneers include smiling more, feeling more confident, and having stronger teeth.
Now that you know all about the benefits of dental veneers, it's time that you gift yourself the confidence that comes with a new smile! Call Pankaj Narkhede, DDS to schedule an appointment at our Lake Forest dental office!