Dental Veneers - How to Improve Your Smile

Over time your natural teeth can get damaged due to various reasons such as dental trauma or tooth decay. Fortunately, you can repair the damage and enhance your smile with dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin shell-like and tooth-colored coatings that are placed over a tooth to hide or repair the damage. Veneers commonly address minor to average dental issues such as chipped, fractured, or discolored teeth.

To know whether veneers are a good option for you, you should visit a dental office near you for an assessment. The dentist will examine your condition to determine whether a veneer is an ideal solution. While veneers are highly effective, not everyone is a good candidate. If your tooth is too weakened, has active gum disease, or most of the tooth’s structure is damaged, restorations such as dental crowns are a better option.

Before getting the dental veneers treatment, the dentist will have to treat any existing dental conditions. The dentist will also listen to your goals and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

How Veneers Improve Your Smile:

• Enhance the appearance of stained teeth

If your teeth are discolored, the first thing to try would be teeth whitening. Unfortunately, deep or stubborn stains from tooth decay, medication, excess fluoride, and trauma might not always respond to teeth whitening. Instead, your dentist can place a dental veneer on the front surface of the affected teeth, hiding the stains and enhancing your smile.

Compared to natural teeth, veneers are more resistant to stains. Still, you’ll want to try and avoid staining habits. Good at-home dental hygiene backed with routine dental cleanings will keep your teeth and veneers healthy and looking fabulous for longer.

• Repair gaps, uneven, and misshapen teeth

Improper tooth gaps and uneven or misaligned teeth can make you feel embarrassed. Even worse, they can increase the risk of plaque and bacteria buildup, eventually leading to secondary problems such as cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, and much more.

If the gaps or misalignment are minor, you don’t need extensive orthodontic procedures such as braces and Invisalign. Your dentist can use veneers to fill in gaps and hide teeth imperfections that tarnish your smile. Since veneers are custom-made and blend well with the color of the natural teeth, they give you a natural, healthier, and youthful-looking smile.

• Repair teeth chips breaks, or cracks – damaged teeth can do more than just endanger your oral health. They can ruin your smile and affect how you eat and speak. These teeth damage leads to tooth decay, oral infections, jawbone disease, and more if left untreated. Dental veneers cover the damage and enhance the teeth’ appearance.
  Please note that veneers can only resolve minor to average tooth damage. Severe damage might require dental crowns and implants to restore the tooth’s strength, shape, size, and appearance.

• Improve oral hygiene and health – it’s worth noting that teeth damage can cause problems that aren’t just cosmetic. For instance, improper teeth gaps, overcrowding, misalignments, chips, cracks, and breaks can harbor plaque and bacteria, making you susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Veneers close improper teeth gaps and repair teeth damage, making it easier to brush and floss effectively. Improved oral hygiene ensures excellent oral health.
• Improve a gummy smile – if your teeth look shorter or your gums tend to take over your smile, your dentist can use veneers to lengthen and show more of your teeth and less gum, thereby bringing balance to your smile.
• Repair damaged or worn-out enamel – your tooth’s enamel acts as a protective coating against bacterial infections and other dangers. Many factors such as acidity, abrasive dental products, and bacterial infection cause your enamel to wear down, eventually leading to cavities and tooth decay. A veneer can add extra protection over the tooth, preventing the chances of developing dental issues in the future.

How Long do Veneers Last?

Dental veneers can last for approximately 10-15 years or longer. The location of the repaired tooth can also affect the longevity of the veneer. Should your veneer chip or break, contact your dentist immediately for a replacement.

Schedule an Appointment Today

For more information about the veneer’s treatment process and services, contact Beautiful South Shore Smiles.