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Are your teeth damaged or badly stained? Have whitening treatments been ineffective for enhancing your smile? Dental veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure in which a shell or layer of tooth colored porcelain or composite is placed over the facial surfaces of your teeth to correct worn enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, discoloration and chips or cracks. Veneers allow you to gain an improvement in the appearance of your smile, and often require little to no removal of tooth structure compared to invasive dental crowns. Cosmetic Veneers: Uses and Materials Regardless of what causes your damaged, flawed teeth, dental veneers may solve most, if not all, of your cosmetic dental issues. This may include discolored teeth, as over time, the thin, hard, translucent substance covering your teeth may become worn and dull. This can be a natural progression or a result of genetic predisposition. Consuming soft drinks, tea or coffee, smoking, using certain medications and others are the main culprits to a discolored smile. Veneers can also solve the following conditions: * Wear and tear
* Genetics
* Uneven teeth
* Accidental damage Two of the most common materials used to create dental veneers are composite resin and porcelain. Porcelain veneers and composite veneers are made by a dental technician in a dental laboratory while other composite veneers (direct) are made by your dentist during your appointment in the office. Porcelain veneers are more appropriate solutions for severe cases involving dullness, wear, discoloration, extensive chipping, cracking, spacing or uneven teeth. Advantages and Purposes of Veneer Not only do veneers make your teeth "look good," but they can also serve a functional purpose. They can provide a protective cover for damaged teeth, which is similar to the way that dental crowns can protect damaged teeth. The advantage of using veneers over crowns is that very little tooth structure needs to be removed or drilled away. Veneers can even help with tooth sensitivity where the enamel has worn away. Since veneers require a removal of natural tooth structure, it is important to weigh all of your options first. The removal of any natural tooth structure is permanent; therefore your cosmetic dentist will explore minimally invasive options first. If you have severely discolored or dull teeth, your treatment options may include porcelain dental veneers or composite veneers. They have the added benefits of longevity and a proven ability to enhance the appearance of your smile and other facial features that are better supported by properly shaped and aligned teeth. After Treatment It is important to take proper care of your smile after your veneers are placed as to allow them to last for years. After your treatment is complete, you should be able to return to your everyday activities without any interference. You may experience soreness around your gums and even some temporary sensitivity around your teeth, but that should disappear quickly. If you experience discomfort after your procedure you should discuss this with your dentist immediately. Since veneers are essentially new coverings for your own teeth, it may take a while to adjust to your veneers. It is best to avoid very hot and very cold drinks or food immediately after your treatment is complete as your sensitivity may be heightened. Your dentist may advise you against certain uses or dietary tendencies, such as eating carrots. They may also recommend wearing a protective appliance while sleeping if you grind your teeth. If you are unhappy with how your smile has faded over the years, veneers might be right for you. Visit your London dentist today for further assessment and treatment of your smile. Restoring your smile is easy with dental veneers.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Adam Burton, London dentist, at Northland Dental Centre. The dentists at Northland Dental Centre are available for all of your dental needs including sedation dentistry, dental implants and veneers in London.
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