Transform Your Smile: A Guide to Veneers
If your teeth overlap, are twisted or have gaps, porcelain veneers can help to transform them and restore your smile. The veneers are made from thin pieces of porcelain which give your teeth a natural look while also proving a similar strength to your natural tooth enamel. If you want to improve your smile, veneers could be the perfect option for you. Below is a brief guide to what you can expect if you decide to have porcelain veneers fitted.
Assessment
Before you are fitted with porcelain veneers, you dentist will carry out an assessment of your dental health to check that you are a suitable candidate for veneers. They will also check that you do not suffer from conditions such as gum disease, which will require treatment before veneers can be fitted.
Fitting veneers
Veneers are designed to shield the existing tooth from further damage and decay while also providing an aesthetically pleasing smile. Your dentist will first numb the affected teeth and the surrounding gum. They will then remove a very thin layer of enamel from your tooth so that there is space for the veneer to fit in place. A special light-sensitive resin will the applied which will sit between the veneer and the natural tooth which will be hardened when your dentist shines a light into your mouth. Once the resin has set, the veneers will be held firmly in place.
Benefits of veneers
Because veneers are individually sculpted for each patient, they will fully reflect the dental characteristics of your other teeth. This means that it will be nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneered tooth and a natural tooth when you smile.
Another benefit is that veneers have is that, compared to crowns, they leave the natural tooth beneath the veneer largely intact, which means less of your teeth's healthy structure is sacrificed, making the treatment less traumatic.
Maintaining veneers
Your dentist should advise you on how best to maintain your veneers. It is important that you continue to brush and floss your veneered teeth twice a day to remove the build up of plaque and tartar, just as you do with your normal teeth.
If you have any questions about porcelain veneers, you should book an appointment with a dental professional who will be able to offer a full assessment of your oral health and advise you on the best course of treatment.