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If you are discouraged by a stained or worn down smile, dental veneers may be an appropriate fix for your teeth. Veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain or a composite resin material that are bonded to the front of your teeth. An excellent alternative to crowns, veneers provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth's color, size or shape. Falling under the category of cosmetic dentistry, veneers create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth. The translucent ceramic quality offered by today's veneers provides a more natural look than what has been previously available in the past. Regardless of what causes unattractive teeth, dental veneers may solve most or even all of your cosmetic issues. The Process Up to three appointments may be needed for the entire veneers procedure, which includes diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation and bonding. It is important that you take an active role in the design of your smile, as to understand the corrective limitations of the procedure and to feel comfortable with your potential smile. To prepare your teeth for veneers, your dentist will lightly buff your teeth to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Typically about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. Composite resin veneers are generally performed in one appointment, while porcelain veneers take more than one visit. Porcelain veneers require a mold of your teeth, which is sent to a dental laboratory for fabrication, which may take several days.
Once the veneers are completed, your dentist will place each veneer on your teeth to check their fit and to get a sense of the shade or color needed. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, the color of the veneers can be adjusted with the shade of cement used. After the veneers are cemented, the color cannot be changed. To apply the veneer, your tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond and once the special cement is placed between the veneer and tooth, a light beam is used to harden the cement for permanent restoration. Restorative Benefits Not only are veneers esthetically pleasing, they can also serve as a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth. In some cases, veneers may replace the need for a dental crown, which eliminates the need for more invasive tooth preparation. Since dental veneers are thin, they generally require little-to-no reshaping of the tooth when bonded. Once your veneers are bonded into place, they are strong and durable, but require appropriate care in order to not abuse the veneers because the thin porcelain shells can damage or break. Your dentist may also advise you against certain habits or dietary tendencies and may recommend that you wear a protective appliance while you are sleeping, especially if you grind your teeth. Veneers are not appropriate for everyone, but with proper consultation your dentist in Memorial, Houston and Katy can determine the best treatment available for your smile.
Sean Hartmen writes for Drs. Hammond and Thompson, leading dentists in Houston, Memorial and Katy. Offering a wide range of services including veneers and implants in Houston, Memorial and Katy, Drs. Hammond and Thompson are qualified to handle any dental need for patients of all ages. The dentistry also serves patients in Memorial and Katy in Texas.
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