A person’s smile is one of their most attractive features. While we believe every smile is beautiful, it’s completely normal if you wish to improve the look of yours. In fact, a whole branch of dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and a long list of dental treatments are dedicated to doing just that – helping patients achieve their ideal look with the smile of their dreams.
One of the most impactful and versatile cosmetic dental treatments available is dental veneers.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are dental prosthetics that consist of thin, tooth-shaped shells that are permanently fixed to the front sides of a patient’s teeth. Although they are sometimes crafted from composite resin, dental veneers are most commonly made of porcelain. Porcelain is a highly durable material for use in dental work, and it can also be dyed to create a natural look while closely resembling the texture and luminous transparency of natural tooth enamel.
What Can Dental Veneers Do for Your Teeth?
Dental veneers have a wide range of cosmetic applications that can improve, refresh, and elevate the appearance of your teeth and smile as a whole. They can be used to correct minor imperfections in a person’s smile or to create a completely new look. Some of the most popular applications of dental veneers include:
- Improving smile symmetry and balance
- Masking stains, discoloration, or old amalgam silver dental work
- Correcting the size or shape of irregular teeth
- Filling in tooth gaps
- Creating a straighter-looking smile
- Covering minor chips or cracks that do not require restorative work
- Create an evenly colored smile
- Design a completely new look
Dental veneers are a powerful cosmetic treatment, but they are just that – cosmetic – meaning they do not provide restorative or health-related benefits to the teeth and gums.
What to Expect When Getting Dental Veneers: The Dental Veneers Process
The first step in getting dental veneers is a consultation appointment. During your consultation, you can talk with our prosthodontist about your concerns and the aspects of your smile you would like to improve. We work with you during this appointment to achieve a common vision for your smile and talk with you about the results you can expect after getting dental veneers.
We then prepare your teeth for the digital impression process and the dental veneer placement. To place dental veneers, it is necessary to remove a thin layer of tooth enamel from a patient’s teeth. This ensures that the veneers will fit naturally, comfortably, and securely onto the surface of your natural teeth. Once the enamel has been removed, we scan your mouth to create a set of three-dimensional, digital impressions that we then use to custom-design and manufacture your dental veneers.
Dental veneers are manufactured at a separate, state-of-the-art dental prosthetics lab. So, placement takes place at a second appointment which we schedule as soon as your veneers are ready. To place the dental veneers, we first ensure your teeth are clean and dry. We then apply a layer of dental cement and permanently fix the veneers to the front surfaces of your teeth.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Dental veneers are a permanent cosmetic treatment. So, once a patient has dental veneers placed, they need to be maintained for life. Since porcelain is such a strong and durable material, dental veneers last an average of 10 to 15 years.
To prolong the life of your dental veneers, continue practicing good oral hygiene at home and visit the dentist for routine cleanings and examinations every six months.
We also recommend not chewing on ice or hard objects. You can protect your veneers from bruxism (clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth) with a nightguard. We also recommend wearing an athletic mouthguard during athletic activities where you could be hit in the mouth with an object, risk falling, or risk an impact that could chip a tooth.
To maintain the bright, evenly toned look of your veneers, you should also quit all kinds of tobacco use and smoking. Additionally, minimize exposure to highly pigmented foods and drinks such as red wine, berries, chocolate, dark sodas, coffee, and tea.
If your dental veneers become damaged or discolored, they can be (and might need to be) repaired. If you notice any problems with your dental veneers, simply schedule a repair or restoration appointment.
Are Dental Veneers the Right Treatment Option for You?
Modern dentistry offers a wide array of cosmetic treatment options such as dental veneers, dental crowns, dental implants, dental bonding, and more. All of these treatments are designed to correct a range of minor to major aesthetic imperfections.
Whether or not dental veneers are the best treatment option to help you achieve your smile goals, depends on several factors such as your current oral health, individual needs, treatment expectations, goals, treatment preferences, and budget. During a consultation, we can help you determine the treatment option that can best meet all of your needs while helping you create the look you desire.
Dental Veneers With Our Prosthodontist in Loveland, Colorado
At Northern Colorado Prosthetic Dentistry, our prosthodontist, Dr. Andrew Bock provides patients with comprehensive cosmetic and restorative treatments using advanced imaging tools to create state-of-the-art, custom-designed dental prosthetics. If you would like to improve the health and appearance of your smile, we encourage you to call 970-579-4716 to request a consultation with Dr. Bock and Northern Colorado Prosthetic Dentistry in Loveland, Colorado.
