Five Facts About Dental Veneers 

Dental veneers in Worcester, MA are porcelain shells that cover your tooth enamel to change the color, shape, size, and length of the teeth.

Want to know more? Here are five facts that will give you an idea of what they are all about.

1. The Veneers Can Treat a Variety of Dental Conditions

Our dentist can recommend veneers to rectify several dental imperfections and enhance your appearance.

• Tooth discoloration

Due to our habits and diet, our teeth can get discolored and stained. Although professional teeth whitening is the treatment of choice, dental veneers can also be used to rectify severely discolored teeth.

• Tooth spacing

When you have a jaw and teeth size imbalance, gaps are bound to form. Small gaps usually don’t need any dental restoration. However, having large diastema can cause the teeth to shift thereby weakening them. Using veneers helps to close the gap and restore the appearance of your teeth.

• Cracked or chipped teeth

The teeth are strong but can crack or chip due to decay or erosion. The dental veneers are used to repair the crack and chips.

• Teeth Misalignment

Teeth misalignment can be fixed with dental braces, but for severe spacing, the dental veneers will be effective.

2. The Procedure Is a Process

Dental veneers require three dental visits to be complete.

• The first consultation

A series of actions are done during your initial dental appointment:

• Your teeth and jaw are examined to determine if dental veneers are an ideal treatment
• Grinding and reshaping of the teeth. Your enamel needs to be trimmed to make room for the veneers.
• Your dental impression will be taken for molding
• It takes about two to three weeks for the veneers to be made. In the meantime, the dentist will give you temporary veneers to protect the teeth from sensitivity.

• The second appointment

It involves fixing the permanent veneers. The temporary veneers are removed, the teeth cleaned and roughed in preparation for bonding. The dentist will use a special cement to hold the veneers in place and remove excess cement before polishing the teeth for a cleaner appearance.

A follow-up visit will be set after a couple of weeks to examine the veneers’ placement and gums are responding well.

3. The Procedure is Irreversible

Dental veneers require trimming of the enamel of the adjacent teeth to create space and a comfortable fit. Once the enamel has been reduced, it doesn’t grow back. That means you will need to use veneers or dental crowns to keep your teeth protected even when you choose to change the dental restoration treatment.

4. They are Available in Two Options

You can opt for resin-based or porcelain veneers options. Most people prefer porcelain as it is natural-looking and blend effortlessly with your teeth. The resin-based or composite is cheaper and requires less enamel trimming. However, they are thin and porous meaning they are prone to staining.

Of the two options, porcelain, though expensive, offer the best solution and its durable.

5. The Veneers Are Long-lasting

Dental veneers can last between 5 to 20 years depending on your oral health. It is, therefore, important to maintain proper dental health. Remember, underneath the veneers are your natural teeth and poor hygiene can cause bacteria to creep in and cause decay.

Also, don’t use your teeth as a tool to open hard objects or bite down your nails. Your veneers can crack or chip, and once they do you need a new set as they are irreparable.

Don’t forget to get bi-annual dental checkups. Our cosmetic dentist will be able to detect any dental problems, if any and address them promptly.

Final Thoughts

Besides the irreversible enamel trimming, the teeth veneers are safe and provide a better solution for mild dental imperfections.

If you have any questions and would like to learn more about veneers, contact us. Our dentist in Worcester MA will answer your questions and guide you in choosing a suitable dental treatment.