What You Should Know About Getting Dental Veneers

If you want a picture-perfect smile, dental veneers can make your teeth look better by masking certain cosmetic flaws. These veneers can be affixed to permanent teeth without harming them so that your smile will always look on point. If you want to learn more about dental veneers and how they are installed, the following questions and answers can help you become more informed.

What specific problems can dental veneers hide?

Dental veneers can make your teeth look younger and healthier by hiding flaws in a way that won't be obvious to people who see your teeth. Veneers are often used to hide tooth problems, such as:

• Discoloration
• Chips
• Misalignment
• Tooth gaps
• Misshaped teeth

What material options are available for veneers?

Porcelain is usually the top material choice for dental veneers, but your veneers may also be made out of a resin composite material. Porcelain veneers usually look more natural and resist stains better, but resin veneers are often less expensive. Your dentist can tell you more about the benefits of each option and help you make the best choice.

How are veneers attached to the teeth?

The dental veneer install process involves a few steps that must be followed to ensure that the veneers are affixed without problems. The dentist will take impressions of your teeth and use these impressions to make veneers that will fit correctly. The dentist will also likely remove some of the top layers of the enamel on your teeth so that the veneers can be attached properly. After the veneers have been made, you'll return to the dentist to have them bonded to the teeth with the use of a special cement and a light to dry and harden the cement quickly and hold the veneers in place. 

How long do veneers last?

Dental veneers are made to last for several years, but you may need to have them replaced sooner if they become damaged or start to detach from the teeth. You can possibly keep your porcelain veneers for more than 20 years before they'll need to be replaced if you take proper care of them. If you choose to get resin composite veneers, you'll likely need new veneers in five to seven years.

What are the best ways to care for veneers?

You can prevent damage to your veneers and possibly increase their lifespan if you avoid chewing on hard foods, ice, and other hard objects as much as possible. Using your teeth to open packages or as scissors to cut objects can damage your veneers and should never be done. If you play contact sports or grind or clench your teeth when you sleep, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your veneers and teeth.

Dental veneers offer one of the simplest ways to improve a smile dramatically. Talk to your dentist to find out if veneers are right for you.