Veneers are a great way to improve your teeth and overall smile. They can boost your confidence and finally cover those pesky imperfections that never seem to go away. However, there’s a lot of misinformation surrounding veneers.
You’ve probably wondered if the process of getting veneers will damage your teeth. Read on in this blog from Smile Dental Boutique to find out why veneers aren’t damaging but require some careful thought.
Porcelain veneers can be thought of as tooth covers or shells for the front surface of your teeth. Because they are utilized to mask cosmetic imperfections and improve the aesthetic of your smile, they are typically only placed on the front six teeth.
The rest of your teeth do not show when you smile. Veneers can transform the way your teeth look in shape, size, and shade. Cover up chips & cracks, discoloration, gaps, orthodontic misalignment, and teeth that are too sharp, small, or awkwardly shaped.
Veneers are equipped to cover up a range of cosmetic issues with the teeth, as long as they aren’t so severe that they require restorative treatment.
After determining you’re a good candidate for veneers in a consultation appointment, we will perform an enameloplasty. An enameloplasty means that we need to shave down your enamel by approximately .5 mm to prevent the veneers from sticking out. This is done under anesthetic.
Next, we will take impressions of your teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental lab that will create your veneers. We will also match your natural or desired tooth shade to the veneers using a shade guide.
Fabrication of the veneers can take about 3 weeks. Once we receive your veneers, we will call you back for a second appointment. After checking the fit and appearance of the veneers, we will clean, etch, and polish your teeth in preparation for bonding. The veneers are then bonded to your teeth and any excess dental cement is removed.
No, veneers do not damage your teeth as long as you get them placed by a highly experienced reliable dentist. However, they are permanent. While veneers have a lifespan of up to 15 years and will need to be replaced, they are not reversible.
This is because of the nature of how we bond them to your teeth. The preparation for veneers requires the removal of your natural enamel to accommodate the thickness of the veneers. This enamel is now permanently removed and will not grow back.
As a result, you will need to cover your teeth with veneers for the rest of your life. While there is nothing harmful about this, as the veneers bond to your enamel and strengthen them, it is quite a commitment that you should take the time to seriously consider.
Wondering if you’re a good candidate for veneers? If you’re in good oral health and have cosmetic issues you’d like to cover up, veneers are likely a great option for you. Contact us at Smile Dental Boutique to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pegah Naji today.
