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What Are Dental Veneers?

If you have been longing for a complete cosmetic smile makeover, you won’t have to look farther then the incredible technology of dental veneers. While dental veneers are not for everyone, they can provide the durability, strength, and beauty of natural teeth in just a few appointments.

What are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is an ultra-thin tooth-colored composite or porcelain that is cemented directly over your existing teeth. Veneer shape, color, and length corrections can last for decades with the proper care while helping to repair dental issues including chips and cracks, uneven tooth spacing or alignment, and worn tooth enamel.

Even though dental veneers fall into the cosmetic dentistry sector – because they beautifully makeover smiles with shapely and aligned teeth – they also boast protective qualities that remove the need for more extensive treatments. The benefits of veneers include improved smile appearance, durability, and little-to-no tooth structure removal. Some variants even require no preparation of the underlying teeth.

What are the Benefits of Dental Veneers?

Veneers are one of the fastest solutions to many cosmetic issues. They can instantly correct unsightly gaps, misshapen teeth, and teeth that are severely stained. After your veneers have arrived, Dr. Schmidt can place the whole set in a single appointment, so you walk out of your procedure with a brand new, straight and brilliant smile. Because veneers are crafted from composite resin, ceramic, or porcelain, they will not stain. You may eat, drink, and enjoy life just as you would before your veneers were placed.

  • Dental veneers are a natural looking cosmetic dentistry solution.
  • Only minimal amounts of alteration are required for your tooth to fit the veneer.
  • Those that suffer from teeth resistant to whitening will find that veneers can transform even the darkest tooth into bright white.
  • Dental veneers can quickly fix small gaps, overlaps, and twists in the teeth.

What is Minimal Prep or “No-Prep” Veneers?

Some patients prefer alternatives to conventional dental veneers or tooth bonding. However, this treatment option is not appropriate for everyone.

Similar to porcelain veneers, minimal or “no-prep” veneers don’t require the dentists to remove as much enamel or tooth material. This is because the veneers are bonded only to the labial surface of your teeth. No-prep dental veneer procedures are achieved in less time and distress than traditional dental veneers.

Your dentist at Green Tree Dental will let you know if you are a good candidate for “no-prep” or minimal preparation veneers.

How are Dental Veneers Placed?

Veneers are a fascinating cosmetic dental procedure consisting of three simple appointments – an initial consultation, preparation and modeling, and the application of your custom dental veneers.

  1. Your first visit to Green Tree Dental will consist of diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Schmidt will examine your gums and teeth to ensure that you are a good candidate, discuss the procedure and any limitations. Our dental professionals may also take X-rays and impressions of your teeth and mouth.
  2. To prepare your teeth for veneers, Dr. Schmidt will remove less than a millimeter of enamel from the tooth before making an impression or model. We will then send your model to a dental laboratory, which will construct your veneer. It takes 2-4 weeks to receive your custom veneers back from the laboratory.
  3. Before the dental veneer is bonded permanently to your tooth, your dentist at Green Tree Dental will examine and personalize the color and fit. Your tooth will be polished and roughened to ensure a secure bonding process. Once prepared, a special cement is applied to the veneer before being placed on your tooth. Once correctly positioned, your dentist will use a specialized light to cure and harden the veneer.

Last but not least, your dentist will remove excess cement, evaluate your bite, and make final adjustments. Our experts at Green Tree Dental may request a follow-up visit to review your gum response to the new veneer and examine its placement.

What Kind of Maintenance Does My Veneer Require?

With good oral hygiene and maintenance, your dental veneers can last for decades to come. Merely treat your veneers as you would your natural teeth, with routine flossing and brushing. Dr. Schmidt can make recommendations for non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste that will help maintain good oral hygiene.

If you experience mild clenching or grinding of your teeth, our dental experts may fit you with nighttime bite guard as to not damage your new veneers.

Am I a Candidate for Dental Veneers?

Dr. George Mitrogogos a cosmetic dentist from Sanford Dental Excellence has said, “However, if your smile no longer looks its best due to crooked, chipped, missing, or stained teeth, it can make you self-conscious and reluctant to show off your grin. Many patients find that improving the aesthetics of their teeth with a smile makeover is an outstanding way to enhance attractiveness and raise self-confidence.” While dental veneers may seem like a quick cosmetic fix, they are not for everyone. Veneers do not provide solutions for decayed or crooked teeth. Because veneers are not replacement teeth like dental implants, they are merely a shell that covers your natural tooth; the underlying tooth is still susceptible to decay.

Furthermore, removing a small portion of your tooth’s enamel is not a reversible procedure. Before deciding if veneers are the best option to beautify your smile, it is essential to keep in mind the health and state of your teeth.

If you have gum disease, poor quality enamel, or unhealthy teeth, this cosmetic procedure may not be an option for you. Additionally, those that suffer from bruxism, or unconscious tooth grinding, and malocclusion may not find veneers to be a favorable cosmetic choice. Constant grinding, clenching, or agitation can cause your veneers to break off.

Are dental veneers right for you?

If you are considering dental veneers as the right cosmetic dental procedure for you, pick up the phone and call your Boise dentist right away. Dr. Schmidt will be able to evaluate the health of your gums, teeth, and bite to learn if this cosmetic dental procedure is suitable for your needs.

If you have straight, yet misshapen teeth, veneers will be successful in giving you a brighter, whiter smile in just a couple of visits. Dr. Schmidt and the team at Green Tree Dental would love to help you reach your smile goals with dental veneers.

Smiles that are built to last

We offer the most innovative dental solutions to meet your individual needs and lifestyles, no matter your age.