If you’re showing chips, cracks, and stains on your teeth, your teeth likely need treatment. Luckily, there are many cosmetic dentistry treatments available to mask those imperfections and restore a shiny looking appearance.
Have you considered dental veneers? Dental veneers (usually known as porcelain veneers) are wafer-thin custom-made shells made out of a porcelain material that is placed directly in front of your tooth surface (bonded) to cover those imperfections.
The veneers bonded to a tooth can be moulded into a custom colour, shape, and size to suit your smile, and the other two are to fit the veneers.
What Dental Issues Can Dental Veneers Be Used For?
Dental veneers can be used to treat a variety of cosmetic issues such as chips, cracks, discolouration, misaligned and hidden teeth, and general wear and tear. Equally, if your teeth are in good condition but you’re simply not happy with your smile, veneers are perfect for that too.
Patients typically only get single veneers in the case of one tooth being damaged. Commonly, a maximum of eight veneers are used and bonded to your eight front teeth.
What Are The Different Types Of Dental Veneers?
There are typically two types of veneers: porcelain and composite resin.
- Porcelain Veneers – A wafer-thin, tooth-coloured material bonded with resin cement to the front surface of your teeth. A thin layer of your enamel is removed to make way for the veneer to be fitted.
- Composite Veneers – Also referred to as composite bonding, these veneers are made out of coloured resin material that is directly applied to your teeth without needing to extract a thin layer of your enamel.
What’s The Procedure Of Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers treatment typically requires three separate appointments. The first one is a consultation and the second and third are to mould and fit the veneers.
- 1st Appointment – The first appointment involves undertaking an examination of your teeth and discussions to ensure that veneers are the right form of treatment for you. This may also involve taking impressions of your natural teeth.
- 2nd Appointment – The dentist will prepare the veneer(s) by first reshaping the tooth surface, so the thickness of the veneer applied to the tooth is the same. Once an impression of your teeth has been taken, this is sent out to the dental laboratory and temporary veneers will be applied for the 2-4 weeks it takes for the veneers to be made.
- 3rd Appointment – The veneers will have returned, and the dentist will begin to place the veneer permanently with cement. The shade of the tooth will be changed, and the veneers will be polished to match your natural teeth. The dentist will then use a special light beam to harden the veneer. There will be some final checks to ensure any small adjustments before they’re permanently firmed into place.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers have some great benefits for your smile, such as:
- Transforms the look and feel of your smile
- Hides niggling imperfections that damages smiling confidence
- Offers extra protection to your natural teeth
- Makes darker teeth appear lighter
- Strong and durable for a long-term difference
Check out our post if you are interested in learning more about the pro and cons of dental veneers.
Are There Any Risks To Dental Veneers?
It is important to be aware of some of the risks with porcelain veneers.
- Veneers need to be replaced if they’re showing signs of chips and cracks
- You cannot whiten your veneers through in-office dental whitening treatment
- A light risk of your veneers falling off if you use your veneers to perform bad habits
- Veneers can become damaged if you suffer from certain conditions such as teeth grinding
- Your mouth may be more sensitive to hot and cold foods due to a shell of your enamel being removed
It is also an opportunity to talk to the dentist about these risks at your appointment as well.
Are You Interested In Getting Dental Veneers?
If you’re seeking a transformation to your smile, the dental veneers offer a great solution to rebuild your smiling confidence by delivering a brand new aesthetic appearance. Consult your Bendigo dentist now about getting veneers treatment.
