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Dental veneers are casings of tooth-like material custom designed to fit your teeth. These casings can cover and fill in gaps between teeth, fix uneven alignment, and repair chips and cracks. This creates and enhances a beautiful, white, evenly proportioned smile.

This method of cosmetic dentistry is incredibly effective in fixing most dental issues, including the following:

·         Wear and tear from age, causing chips and cracks or an uneven appearance.

·         Worn enamel due to genetic predisposition or bad habits, i.e. smoking, coffee drinking, etc.

·         Genetic issues like gaps that increase over time.

·         Uneven tooth alignment from natural wear and tear or teeth grinding.

There are two basic types of veneers that can be applied to your teeth: porcelain or composite resin. Both can be developed in a dental laboratory. However, composite resin veneers can be developed inside your mouth at the dentist’s office. In either case, when developed in the laboratory, these veneers need to be bonded to the teeth through a resin cement of some sort. Porcelain veneers are considered to be longer-lasting, and therefore more expensive.

Bonding can be considered an option for many people with minor tooth problems – small chips and cracks. However, when dullness and severe wear and tear become a problem, dental veneers may be considered an appropriate option for a long-lasting solution. In the same vein, teeth whitening may be recommended if your teeth are discolored but still in good shape. Veneer application is a permanent alteration of the teeth, and should only be considered if your teeth are severely damaged.

In addition to its aesthetic benefits, veneers also provide benefits to the health of your teeth. If applied to a damaged tooth, it can protect the surface and preserve what is left of the tooth. There are also some cases where a veneer can satisfy the need for a dental crown, which can spare you from more invasive tooth preparation that would be involved.

Veneers may alter your lifestyle, depending on the application. In some instances, a change in diet may be recommended so as to decrease the chance for damage to the shell itself. The shell is very durable; however, it is thin, so certain uses may cause damage or break the casing, i.e., grinding teeth in your sleep or eating hard, crunchy foods. Your dentist may provide you with a type of mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

Dental veneer application generally is completed in two dental visits over a six-week period. Depending on the patient, visits can last up to several hours for tooth examination and preparation. Local anesthetic is usually administered, although some dentists do offer sedation. Post-operation, tooth sensitivity may be heightened for a day or two, but beyond that there is generally no recovery necessary.

Article on Dental Veneers courtesy of LVI Smile.