Your smile plays a big role in your physical appearance, which is why issues like chipped, crooked, and slightly misshapen teeth can damage your self-confidence. In these situations, getting dental veneers from a cosmetic dentist in Columbus, Ohio, can help.
Unlike a smile makeover, veneers can offer you a new, attractive appearance without involving an expensive procedure with extensive treatment times, which is why they have become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the United States. Nevertheless, some factors are worth considering before opting for this treatment, and here we’ll explore them.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They can be used to cover unwanted cosmetic concerns, such as:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Malformed teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Worn-down teeth
Veneers are often made from porcelain or resin-composite materials and are permanently bonded to your teeth. While not eternal, they can last up to 15 years, making them an attractive and reliable cosmetic procedure.
Veneers can be placed on every tooth. While some patients opt to get only one to cover a single broken or chipped tooth, others opt to get between six to eight veneers to create an even, symmetrical smile. When several teeth are involved, a dentist may order a wax model to show you how the veneers would look before starting.
Additionally, anyone with a healthy smile can get dental veneers. If there’s an underlying infection, like tooth decay or gum disease, this will have to be solved before considering veneer placement. Moreover, while hiding slight dental misalignments, veneers aren’t an orthodontic treatment, and they cannot solve bite issues.
Factors to Consider Before Getting Dental Veneers
While veneers can be an ideal treatment to improve and enhance your smile, it’s important to research properly before deciding to undergo this treatment.
On one hand, veneer placement may not be the best procedure for your smile. On the other hand, it's important to find the right dental office that can conduct this process with both attractive and safe results. Here are some factors to consider to help you.
Veneer Duration
Veneer application involves grinding down your natural tooth’s enamel to make room for these dental prosthetics. While veneers are very thin, even such a small additional can modify your bite, which is why this step is fundamental. Additionally, it allows for better bonding between the veneer and your natural tooth.
However, removing even past the enamel is sometimes necessary, leaving the tooth weaker. It's important to understand that before opting for this permanent and painful procedure. If your first set of veneers gets damaged, it must be replaced with another dental restoration, making it an irreversible procedure.
Some types of veneers, such as no-prep veneers, require minimal tooth preparation. Still, these are much less durable and cannot cover every cosmetic issue. For instance, no-prep veneers are often more translucent than traditional veneers, so they may not cover teeth that are deeply discolored or stained.
Location
Patients typically get veneers on the front teeth, especially at the top, to improve the most visible parts of their smiles. Your personal requirements, financial constraints, and desired appearance determine the quantity of veneers required.
These are the ones that everyone will notice when you smile, so their appearance may matter most to you. It is typical to have six or more veneers applied to your front teeth to help them look more natural. The number of teeth involved and your dental concerns will also determine how much tooth reduction is necessary.
However, your farther back teeth, such as the molars, will likely not need veneers. If there’s a chip or stain in your molars, chances are high that the only one noticing it is yourself when you look at your smile in the mirror. Others won’t notice such small cosmetic concerns, so veneers may not be necessary.
Additionally, not all of your teeth will need veneers. Veneers will not do much for teeth that are healthy, well-shaped, and not very worn down, so we can work together to determine how many of your teeth require veneers to make your smile look better.
Placement Process
The veneer placement process can vary depending on the dental office you visit.
Before creating a mold, certain dentists grind down your teeth and then take an impression of them. After that, the mold is sent to a laboratory to create the porcelain veneer. While the permanent veneers come back from the lab, temporary veneers are placed, and once they’re ready, we cement them in the prepared teeth.
In the meantime, other dentists might design the veneer using CAD/CAM technology. At Spectrum Dental and Prosthodontics, we opt to create high-quality restorative solutions at our on-site dental lab. That way, our in-house technicians can work hand-in-hand with our skilled prosthodontists to deliver high-quality veneers.
Material
As mentioned, veneers can be made from composite resin or porcelain.
Dental resin is a long-lasting, safe plastic that has been authorized for use on teeth. Direct composite veneers are made by dentists, shaping the resin on the teeth, while indirect composite veneers are made in a lab. They last 7–10 years, requiring multiple replacements over time.
On the other hand, porcelain veneers are made from a combination of natural feldspar, kaolin, and quartz and typically last 15–20 years. They’re extremely strong and a must-have in teeth as you use them daily, so you need veneers that can reliably endure years of constant use.
Still, while porcelain will often last longer than composite material, both types of veneers are strong, durable, and comfortable. Your composite veneers won’t completely break easily. They may simply chip or crack. However, if that’s the type of aesthetic concern you wanted to fix in the first place, even the slightest crack may call for a replacement.
Dental Office
Getting dental veneers is not a risky treatment, but that doesn’t mean finding the right dental office is not important. Choosing the right professional for getting veneers is crucial to ensure you get a high-quality, safe, and satisfactory result. When making your choice, we recommend paying attention to the following factors:
- Initial Consultation: A good dentist will offer a consultation to assess your needs, discuss your goals, and provide an honest opinion. Note how well the dentist addresses your worries and explains the procedure during this appointment.
- Clear Communication: The dentist should review every procedure step, including veneer preparation, fitting, and aftercare. This involves providing clear information about expenses, dangers, and available options.
- Experience of the Dentist: Seek out a dentist with specialized training in cosmetic dentistry, particularly in veneer placement. This could include general dentists with advanced training or a specialist, such as a prosthodontist.
- Before-and-After Photos: A reputable office should be able to show before-and-after photos of past veneer patients to give you an idea of both their skills and the aesthetic style you can expect in your results.
- Advanced Technology: Look for an office that uses modern technology, such as 3D imaging and digital impressions. These technologies improve the precision of your restoration while making the placement process more efficient.
Get Dental Veneers at a Cosmetic Dentistry in Columbus, Ohio
Dental veneers can be a great, simple way to enhance your smile and recover your confidence. However, proper planning beforehand is important to get satisfying results.
Here at Spectrum Dental & Prosthetics, we want you to know what’s happening every step of the process, so we’re always willing to answer any doubts. If you’d like to see whether veneers are the right cosmetic procedure for you or if you want an expert’s opinion to explore other options, reach out!
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