Dental veneers are another option on the list of permanent solutions for unsightly teeth. Sometimes a tooth doesn’t need to be replaced with a dental implant to improve its appearance, and sometimes even a crown is more work than is necessary. Sometimes all a tooth needs is to put on a good face.

What are Dental Veneers? 

Dental veneers are a thin covering for the exterior of a tooth. They are different from crowns in that crowns cap the entire tooth while veneers act as a thin shell for just the outward-facing side. Veneers are permanently bonded to the teeth they cover and are created to be the same color.

Veneers are applied to correct a number of cosmetic problems for teeth: staining, chips, unnatural shaping, or gaps between teeth. They are maintained like normal teeth (with brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist), but they are not as durable or strong, and they can chip or break with unnaturally strenuous use. 

Getting veneers is a simple process, and recovery is typically as short as the time it takes for the anesthetics to wear off. Veneers are generally made of one of two materials: porcelain and composite resin. These provide a durable cover to teeth that aren’t contributing to a beautiful smile. You and your dentist can collaborate about which veneer material is best for you.

Porcelain

Porcelain dental veneers look like natural teeth and are long-lasting and strong. Though the process to create them takes two appointments, it is pretty straightforward and minimally invasive since, unlike implants or crowns, a minimal amount of enamel is removed from the front and sides of the teeth in question. This is done just to make sure the veneer fits naturally. 

Once the teeth have been prepared, the dentist makes a mold of the teeth, and a dental lab creates the veneers, customized in both shape and color to fit the patient’s smile. Once the veneers are finished and the patient’s teeth are thoroughly cleaned, the dentist will bond the dental veneers to the patient’s teeth. The dentist makes any necessary adjustments at this second appointment.

Composite Resin

Composite resin veneers are created in-person by the dentist using sculptable resin. The material is chosen to match the color of the patient’s natural teeth, which are prepared and reshaped in a way similar to preparing for porcelain veneers. 

Once the prepared teeth are cleaned, the dentist carefully sculpts and bonds the composite material to become a permanent part of the patient’s teeth. The composite is hardened with a special light and afterwards is smoothed and polished. Dental veneers are generally less expensive than porcelain veneers and typically not quite as durable. Fortunately, they are also relatively easy to fix.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a superior tooth treatment in a number of ways. Their installation is comparatively easy while still yielding quality results. They can cover imperfections, give teeth a more classical shape, and generally enhance the appearance of a person’s smile with a coat of protection that is color-matched to that person’s teeth.

If the issues in a person’s smile are not deeply structural, veneers offer a way to improve teeth’s appearance in a way that is less invasive and more affordable than more extensive treatments like dental implants or crowns. There is no reason to dislike any aspect of your smile simply because its functionality is not compromised. Veneers offer the best of both worlds. 

At Covington Dental Arts, all of our dental veneers are custom-made to give your smile the boost it deserves. Getting veneers can dramatically improve self esteem and confidence in one’s smile. If you are not in love with the appearance of your teeth, give us a call today to get started on your dental veneers.