First impressions are priceless, and it’s so often the details of your smile that can make or break the image you present.
If the smile you want isn’t the smile you want to show the world, dental veneers from Monarch Dental can help fix small, cosmetic imperfections such as chips, stains, gaps, or discolorations.
Dental veneers are a thin shell–typically made of porcelain–that goes over imperfect areas of your teeth to present a more even appearance without the need for invasive or costly procedures. Veneers are most commonly used on the front teeth and can help improve minor irregularities, including chipped or irregularly shaped teeth as well as teeth with stains that haven’t responded to whitening treatments. Veneers can also be used to cover small gaps between teeth.
Veneers can be made of a wide variety of materials, but the vast majority are made of either resin or porcelain. Porcelain, in particular, tends to do a better job of replicating the look of a real tooth.
Veneers are available in multiple shades, materials, thicknesses, and durability. A dental professional from Monarch Dental can help you decide what type of veneer is best for you.
While veneers can sustain damage, most can last anywhere from ten to 30 years with proper care. You can extend the life of your veneers by flossing and brushing twice a day and taking good care of all of your teeth, not just the treated ones. Avoid eating very hard or crunchy foods and don’t try to open things with your teeth.
Although veneers are more resistant to staining than other cosmetic options like dental bonding, they can fade over time. Regular dental cleanings provide a good opportunity for your dentist to polish and brighten the veneers, removing any stains or discolorations.
To make sure you’re a good candidate for dental veneers, a Monarch Dental dentist will evaluate your oral health with a quick exam of your gums, teeth, and mouth. This will help the dentist determine if you’ll need anything treated or corrected, such as tooth decay or gum disease, and ensure your teeth are healthy enough for the veneer application. (Placing dental veneers requires removing some of the enamel from the teeth being treated, so the dentist needs to make sure your teeth can withstand it.)
Once the dentist decides you’re ready for veneers, he or she will begin preparing your teeth.
First, you’ll need an impression, which will serve as the mold for your custom veneers. The dentist will remove about half a millimeter of enamel from the teeth using a grinding tool, then make a plaster impression of the teeth. Removing that little bit of enamel helps the veneers to be placed flush against the rest of your teeth, so they don’t stick out further than the surfaces of the adjacent teeth. The impression is sent to a lab to create the veneers, which are usually ready in a week or two.
When your veneers are ready, you’ll come back for another appointment, which will usually take about two hours or so. The dentist will make sure the veneers fit well and blend in naturally with the rest of your teeth, then your teeth will be cleaned and “roughened” to help the veneers adhere better to their surface. The veneers will be placed with a dental cement, which will be hardened when the dentist shines a UV light on them.
Most placement procedures for dental veneers can be done without anesthesia or even a local numbing agent, and there is no recovery time. The length of your placement appointment will depend on how many veneers you are getting, with most people getting between 4 and 8 veneers.
If you’re ready for the smile of your dreams, schedule an appointment at your nearest Monarch Dental to find out if dental veneers are right for you. Monarch Dental offers an array of affordable cosmetic dentistry services, like dental veneers, designed to help you look and feel your best. We also provide all the general, specialty, and emergency care you and your family need for a lifetime of good oral health.
Monarch Dental makes getting–and keeping–a beautiful smile easy and convenient, with flexible scheduling to fit your busy lifestyle and plenty of financing options to fit your budget. When you and your family need quality dental care, trust the dental professionals at Monarch Dental!
Orthodontics may be provided by general dentists.
