Veneers Help Smile

Have you ever admired the smile of a celebrity or film star? There is a good chance they have used cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of their teeth and most likely dental veneers. Made from extremely thin pieces of porcelain, dental veneers are custom fabricated to fit over the front surfaces of your teeth and are an extremely versatile treatment which is minimally invasive.

When to Consider Veneers

There are lots of reasons for considering this treatment. For example, do you have a badly stained front tooth which cannot be whitened with a tooth whitening treatment? A dental veneer can cover it up completely. Dental veneers are also extremely useful for covering teeth that are worn down or chipped or cracked, or which aren’t a nice shape. You could consider using veneers to realign teeth that are just slightly crooked. Dental veneers can also be useful for closing or minimizing unsightly gaps in between teeth. Some people choose to use veneers on all the front teeth, including their upper and lower teeth, while others will only opt for one or two veneers. The choice is yours!

How to Decide If Veneers Could Help You

If you are interested in this treatment, then it’s best to book a consultation with our dentist Dr. Aileen Trivedi here at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando. He can gently examine your teeth and will discuss if the treatment is suitable. For you to benefit from veneers, your teeth must be generally strong and healthy, and you shouldn’t have any large fillings or areas of decay. Otherwise, Dr. Trivedi may suggest covering up these teeth in a slightly different way using dental crowns which provide more protection for teeth that are extensively damaged. Next, Dr. Trivedi can discuss your aims and desires for this treatment to discover exactly what you’d like to achieve. He can then recommend the most suitable number of veneers to ensure you achieve a good treatment outcome.

Will My Veneers Look Natural?

Dr. Trivedi will take a great deal of care when custom designing your veneers to ensure they look very natural, especially if you require multiple veneers. Your veneers will be fabricated to complement your facial features, skin tone, and gender. If you do decide to have multiple veneers to cover all your front teeth then, of course, you can choose to have them in a lighter shade than your natural teeth. However, if you want to ensure your teeth will look natural then it’s important to make sure you select a shade that is complementary to your appearance as choosing one of the brighter shades could make it clear that you have received some cosmetic dental work. We can discuss which shades will look most flattering and will ensure you receive a smile you will truly love.

When to Consider Using Veneers with Other Cosmetic Dental Treatments

Sometimes Dr. Trivedi may recommend using veneers in combination with other treatments which can be a more conservative choice. For example, if your teeth are generally a nice shape and are simply slightly stained, it may be preferable to have them whitened professionally than placing veneers on just one or two teeth that perhaps do not respond to teeth whitening or which are damaged or chipped. In fact, the veneers can be combined with numerous other treatments including crowns and bridges and dental implants, or they may even be used to provide the finishing touch to an Invisalign treatment. Using Invisalign nearly invisible braces to realign your teeth, then getting veneers placed on those teeth that are less than perfectly shaped can be a more conservative option. You can rest assured that Dr. Trivedi will always suggest treatments that will help to protect and preserve your natural teeth and your dental health.

What Is the Procedure for Placing Veneers?

The procedure for having dental veneers is very straightforward as your teeth are carefully prepared using a local anesthetic to ensure you feel comfortable. When you have veneers, it is necessary to remove a very small amount of tooth structure, typically 0.5 mm which is approximately the same dimensions as the veneer. Removing the small amount of tooth structure ensures that once your veneers are fitted, they don’t feel or look too bulky and unnatural. Once your teeth have been shaped, Dr. Trivedi will take a detailed dental impression which is sent to the dental lab with his precise instructions for fabricating your veneers. While your veneers are being made, you may need to have temporary veneers fitted onto your teeth which will protect them until your permanent veneers are ready. Once your veneers are completed, Dr. Trivedi will remove your temporary veneers and will fit your new veneers onto the front surfaces of your teeth. The final step is to bond your veneers onto your teeth, so they feel strong and secure.

Caring for Your Veneers

Once your veneers are fitted and bonded to your teeth then it’s important to look after them. This will ensure your new smile continues to look its very best and will help to prolong the life of your veneers. The good news is that it’s very easy to look after dental veneers because you can simply brush and floss them exactly like the rest of your teeth. It’s important to make sure you keep up with your regular dental exams and cleanings here at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando. Regular examinations allow us to check the condition of your veneers and professionally cleaning around your veneers will help to protect your teeth and gums. If needed, our hygienist can give you some great tips on how to improve your brushing and flossing routine at home.

How Long Will Veneers Last?

Your new veneers should last for 10 years or even longer, depending on how you care for them. We recommend you don’t use your teeth as tools so please don’t use your veneers to open packets! It’s also best to avoid biting into things that are very hard or crunching on ice cubes, just as we hope you don’t do with your natural teeth.

Contact our office today to find out more about dental veneers and what options are available to improve your smile and boost your confidence!