Written By: Dr. Michael Richer
If you always smile with your teeth behind your lips, you’re hiding something. People who don’t feel confident with their teeth keep them tucked behind a tight-lipped smile—and if you’re one of them, you may not realize veneers are an option.
Even the slightest imperfection in one or more of your teeth can keep you from smiling freely. Stained, chipped, cracked, or misaligned teeth can easily be remedied with porcelain veneers. When your dentist applies these to your smile, you’ll look like a Hollywood celebrity.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are commonly made from porcelain. They are designed to fit over the top of your teeth. They can hide damage as well as help disguise large gaps. Porcelain is strong and resilient, much like the natural enamel of your teeth. They also look whiter and brighter, giving you a gorgeous yet durable smile.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for dental veneers, particularly those who don’t have enough enamel on their teeth. If you have a severely crooked jaw or many teeth that aren’t aligned, you will need orthodontics to correct these issues.
If you’re a good candidate for dental veneers, your dentist will select ones that match the shape and shade of your existing teeth. This allows them to blend in so seamlessly that only you and your dentist will ever know your secret.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
You’re an excellent candidate for dental veneers if you have chipped, stained, or slightly crooked teeth. However, you must have ample tooth enamel since your dentist must remove some of it to make room for the veneers. Without enough enamel, there will not be enough surface space to create that strong bond required for the treatment.
Visit your Hicksville, NY, dentist to ask about dental veneers. If you’re a good candidate, you’ll enjoy these benefits:
Covers Cracked, Chipped, and Discolored Teeth
When you have cosmetic issues such as cracks, chips, or discolorations, veneers are an excellent way to fix them. A slight gap between your front teeth can easily be concealed with veneers as can any chipped teeth. If you have discolored teeth that haven’t responded to whitening, porcelain veneers may be the perfect solution.
Natural Look and Feel
One of the best things about dental veneers is that no one can tell you’ve had this cosmetic procedure. They are custom-made to look and feel natural in your mouth. When your teeth look white, straight, and healthy, you’ll have greater confidence in your smile. While people likely aren’t staring at your teeth, when you have imperfections, you will hyper-focus on them—which leads to lacking confidence. Veneers will help you to smile again without worrying about what people think.
Veneers Are Non-Invasive
If you’re scared about dental procedures, veneers are non-invasive. Your dentist will simply remove some of the enamel from your teeth before applying the veneers. You likely won’t even need anesthesia during the process.
They Protect Your Teeth from Future Discoloration
Keeping up with good oral hygiene habits and being mindful of the foods you eat will help your veneers stay in excellent condition. Since these porcelain coverings will come into the most contact with the foods and beverages you consume, they will prevent staining of the teeth beneath them.
With proper care, veneers will last about 10 years. You should avoid chomping down on hard items like ice to keep from chipping your veneers.
They’re Low Maintenance
Once your dentist applies your veneers, you don’t have to do anything excessive to care for your smile. You’ll brush twice daily and floss once per day to keep up with your oral hygiene routine.
Regular dental checkups are essential, too—just as they are when you don’t have veneers. These non-porous covers for your teeth are resistant to permanent stains and cavities. There is nothing extra you have to do to maintain your beautiful new smile.
You’ll Smile with Confidence
When your teeth look white and straight, you won’t be able to resist smiling. In fact, you’ll probably smile a lot more, even when you’re not taking photos. Dental veneers will give you that healthy and beautiful smile, just like a Hollywood movie star. Improved confidence can help you excel in your career, too—especially if you work in a field that requires you to connect with customers and clients.
The Process of Dental Veneers
When you visit your dentist and decide on getting dental veneers, you will have to schedule two separate appointments. In your first appointment, you will have the enamel removed from your teeth. Generally, up to one-eighth of a millimeter is removed to allow for a proper fit of the veneers. Without this removal, the veneers will appear bulky and obvious.
Measurements and impressions will also be taken during this visit to ensure the laboratory creates the ideal customization for your teeth. After this first appointment for your veneers, the measurements and impressions are sent to the lab. It usually takes about two weeks for completion, at which point your dentist will ensure you’re scheduled to return to apply the veneers.
As you await this second step, your dentist will place temporary veneers atop your teeth to protect them. Your dentist will explain how to be careful with these temporary veneers when eating and drinking. Once your veneers are ready, your dentist will put them on your teeth. They will make sure they match the measurements, though they may slightly need to be adjusted to give them that natural look and feel.
Your dentist will then put an adhesive on your teeth and place the veneers on top. A dental laser is used to harden the veneers and permanently attach them to your teeth. When all is said and done, you’ll be able to see your new, beautiful smile.
How to Get Dental Veneers in Hicksville, NY
If you are considering porcelain veneers, you should speak to a dentist about whether or not you’re a good candidate. Looking for a dentist near Plainview, Westbury, Bethpage, Jericho, Meadow, Levittown that can expertly apply veneers? Contact R+R Dental in Hicksville, NY, to make an appointment today!
