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Are you unhappy with your smile? Are your teeth badly stained, shaped or crooked? If so, veneers may be a proper solution to bring your smile back to life. Dental veneers have become a very popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. They are used for aesthetic purposes when your teeth are damaged, chipped or broken. Lumineers are another type of porcelain veneer, which is stronger and thinner than other types. The thinness of Lumineers allows for your teeth to be fitted without preparation. Your dentist will not need to shave any of the existing tooth structure away before fitting your Lumineers. Whatever your reason for needing restoration, veneers or Lumineers may be the right choice for your smile enhancement. Traditional Dental Veneers With age and time, the thin, tough outer surface that coats your teeth, called the enamel, can wear and look dulled, stained and discolored. This can occur naturally with age or as a result of certain medications. However, this change in your teeth is often due to habits such as tooth grinding, poor oral hygiene, and the consumption of carbonated and sugary soft drinks. Tea, coffee and smoking can all contribute to the staining of your teeth as well. Over time, as you grow older, your teeth will naturally wear down just like the wear and tear on a car tire or shoes. As your teeth are used in everyday activities such as chewing, they wear away and can become cracked or chipped. Not only do veneers rejuvenate your smile, but they can also serve a protective, functional role. Dental veneers provide a protective cover for damaged teeth in a similar manner that dental crowns can protect damaged teeth. The advantage over crowns is that veneers are wafer thin and very little tooth structure is needed to be removed or drilled away. Veneers can also help with tooth sensitivity where the enamel has worn away. With veneers being so thin, they may require little-to-no tooth reshaping when bonded onto the tooth. Once veneers are bonded into place, they are relatively strong and durable. It is important, though, to take proper care of your veneers in order to not abuse them because the thin porcelain shells can damage or break with improper care. Lumineers Lumineers are similar to conventional veneers, except they are much thinner and made from patented Cerinate porcelain. They are as thin as contact lenses and require very little, if any, tooth reduction compared to standard veneers, which gives them the advantage of preserving more of your natural tooth structure. Your cosmetic dentist is certified to place your Lumineers and has received additional training to be able to offer this type of veneers.
Since little or no tooth structure is removed, the procedure can often be carried out without the need for anesthetic and is also reversible, unlike traditional veneers. They are custom designed to give you the smile you have always wanted. Unlike traditional veneers, Lumineers are proven to last for over 20 years. With only two visits, Lumineers can give you a healthy, natural, permanently white smile that you have always wanted.
If your smile is in need of a transformation, contact your Virginia Beach dentist to find out if veneers or Lumineers are appropriate for your smile restoration.
Dr. Christopher Hooper, Virginia Beach family dentist, received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from James Madison University and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. Dr. Hooper, cosmetic dentist in Virginia Beach, also completed a post-graduate Advanced General Dentistry Residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
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