Your teeth say a lot about you, and they can create a lasting positive or negative impression of yourself. For this reason, it is best to invest in the health and appearance of your teeth. Dental problems such as tooth discoloration can affect your overall appearance. Other times it could be problems such as crooked teeth and gaps between your teeth. The good news is that general dentistry in Springfield, VA, uses dental veneers to cover all imperfections. Below is a brief description of veneers.
What are veneers, and what do they do?
Veneers are thin shells custom-made to match the color, size, and shape of your natural teeth. Dentists use veneers to fix different imperfections, including discoloration due to excessive fluoride, large resin fillings, root canal treatment, and stains from drugs. Other issues such as worn down, broken, or chipped teeth can also benefit from dental veneers.
The most common materials used to make veneers are porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are strong and closely mimic the light-reflecting properties of your natural teeth. They are also better at resisting stains, making them better than composite resin veneers. The following are the steps involved in getting veneers.
Dental veneer procedure
- Consultation
First, you need to consult with your dentist before getting veneers to establish whether they are an option for you. Although the process of getting the veneers is generally safe, the dentist may advise against this if you have gum disease. Individuals with tooth decay and bruxism are also not ideal for veneers. Your doctor may recommend treatment for your gums before you can get the shells. Specialists also require patients to have sufficient tooth enamel since the process involves removing small amounts of enamel.
During the consultation, you also learn about the downsides to getting dental veneers; For example, your dentist may inform you that the process is undone. Veneers may not exactly match the color of your natural teeth, and they can also not be fixed when they chip or crack. Your teeth could also become more sensitive to stimuli because the dentist will remove the enamel.
- Treatment planning
After your specialist deems you as a good candidate for veneers, you will make a second visit, during which the dentist takes x-ray images of your teeth. Here is when the dentist also forms a mold impression of your teeth and sends them to the lab to make your permanent veneers. The veneers usually take two to four weeks before they are ready, and you may use temporary veneers in the meantime.
- Veneer placement
When your veneers are ready, you will make the third and last visit to place the veneers. First, the dentist will create room for the veneer by removing small amounts of enamel from your teeth. You may or may not receive some form of numbing medication as the dentist trims off the enamel. Once the tooth surface is ready, the dentist uses a special cement to bond the veneer to the teeth and activate the adhesive chemicals using a laser device.
If your teeth are discolored, chipped, or worn out, reserve a session with your dentist at Advantage Dental Care for veneers to improve your appearance.
