You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If your pearly whites aren’t up to par, it can affect your confidence and overall quality of life. But dental veneers can be a simple solution to an imperfect smile.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are an extremely thin piece of porcelain or resin that can be used to reshape your smile, close gaps between teeth or fix broken, chipped or discolored teeth. Porcelain is the most commonly used material and are best for fixing cosmetic imperfections. Porcelain veneers can last between 10 and 20 years and resist staining better than other materials.
How Are Dental Veneers Used?
Your dentist will examine your teeth and give them a thorough cleaning. Afterwards, he or she will file down a bit of the enamel on the front of the tooth to make room for the veneer.
An impression of your teeth will be taken and sent to a lab where your porcelain veneers will be custom made. This process can take two to four weeks. If necessary, temporary veneers can be placed until the permanent ones are finished. Once the veneers are back from the lab, your dentist will place the veneer temporarily on your tooth to examine it for fit and color. He may trim the veneer if needed and will choose the cement to be used based on the color that best fits your needs.
To place the veneer on the tooth, your dentist will first etch the center of the tooth to create a rough surface. This creates a strong bond between the tooth and the veneer. Cement is then placed on the veneer, and then the veneer is attached to your tooth. Your dentist will use a special light that cures or hardens the cement quickly, typically in about 60 seconds. A follow up visit may be required to ensure the veneers fit properly and are comfortable.
Are Veneers Right for You?
It is important to know that any type of veneer will need to be replaced at some point, and the process is irreversible. It’s important to discuss the process with your dentist and make sure all of your questions are answered before making a final decision.
Interested in dental veneers? Contact Mesa Dental at 480-396-9900 today for more information!