Learn About Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are tooth-colored custom-made shells that are used in cosmetic dentistry to repair and improve the appearance of teeth. Given that this is made of porcelain materials, the veneers have many names. They are sometimes called porcelain laminates of porcelain veneers. The dental veneers before and after results are significantly different because veneers resolve more than one dental problem. If you visit a dentist, you may be surprised by how many oral problems dental veneers can correct for you.

A dentist in Huntington Beach will prescribe them for different patients with different situations. Usually, veneers are a non-invasive dental procedure. Patients who are conservative mostly opt for them because they ensure the retention of as many natural teeth as possible. Some of the oral problems that can be corrected with dental veneers include:

• Gaps between teeth – Some gaps result due to disorientation of the bone structure, rather than missing a tooth. They are very useful for closing gaps between teeth to improve the smiles of patients. In such cases, lumineers® teeth are used since they are specially made to fit between teeth and close existing gaps. Lumineers are ultra-thin forms of veneers that eliminate gaps between teeth without tampering with the structure of the original teeth.
• Discolored teeth – Stubborn stains on teeth cannot be cleared out by professional teeth whitening. In such cases, a dentist will look for other alternatives. Dental veneers are used to cover up such flaws and improve the color and brightness of teeth to match the other teeth. Thankfully, veneers are made of a tooth-colored material that can be matched to the exact shade of color of your natural teeth.
• Chipped or broken teeth – Dental veneers have been used severally to reshape broken teeth and cover cracks. They can be molded in different shapes and sizes to befit the chips and breakages of teeth.
• Short teeth – Some patients have conspicuously short teeth. This can be following an injury or accident, as a result of excessive teeth grinding, or a natural occurrence. Whatever the causes, teeth that are too short are not aesthetically appealing. Dental veneers can be used to elongate the appearance of teeth to make them cosmetically pleasing for patients when they smile.
• Misaligned teeth – Even though teeth aligners like traditional braces are made for straightening teeth, not all patients are willing to go through with the treatment plans for complete transformation. Such patients can opt for dental veneers that lean more toward cosmetic elevation than complete tooth restoration. Veneers can be used to cover the flaws of crooked and misaligned teeth.

Once you visit your dentist, the first step involves a dental examination. The examination allows your dentist to identify all the oral problems you may have, and gather some information on which treatments would work best for you. After that, you have to tell your dentist about your concerns and the kind of results you want. Most of the oral problems that dental veneers treat can be corrected by other dental treatments. In that case, you must be specific about your preferences in alignment with your needs. Once you are cleared for dental veneers, the procedure will involve the following steps:

• Preparation of the tooth – depending on which tooth is being worked on and what the problem is, the preparation step may differ a little. However, you must go through teeth cleaning to get rid of all plaque buildup. Your tooth is then reshaped on the surface in preparation for the veneers. The reshaping will involve reducing the enamel of the tooth to create room for the dental veneers. The amount shaved off depends on the size of the veneer. After this, the dentist will take an impression of your teeth to help prepare veneers for a perfect fit.
• Bonding process – this step begins on the next visit after your veneers are ready. The target tooth is then roughened and smeared with special dental cement. The veneer is then attached and bonded to your tooth. The dentist will use a special ultraviolet light or laser to harden the cement and secure the veneer properly.