Are Veneers Right for Me?

Choosing the right cosmetic dental treatment option can be difficult due to the number of options available. Are you thinking about enhancing your smile? Do you have an awkward and embarrassing gap in your smile that you want to cover? You may be wondering whether veneers are right for you. You may also want to know what happens when you get veneers.

What Are Dental Veneers?

These are thin covers placed over the front part of teeth to give them a more attractive look. They look like natural teeth, which is why dentists use them to fix various dental issues. Made of either composite resin material or porcelain, they are a great solution designed to help people achieve their desired look. They are a good choice for those with a gap between teeth, chipped teeth, stained teeth, worn teeth, or misshaped teeth.

How They Work

As stated above, veneers are thin shells placed over the surface of your teeth. Before applying veneers, your dentist will trim a thin layer of enamel from your teeth. The aim is to prevent your teeth from feeling or looking too bulky after the addition of the veneers. The dentist will then take an impression of your teeth to create the right sizes and shapes for your veneers.

Benefits of Veneers

These customized shell covers are a great solution for chips, discoloration, minor misalignment, cracks, and gaps between teeth. As a cosmetic dental treatment, they offer many benefits, including:

• If you have healthy teeth, you can use veneers instead of crowns.
• They mimic the texture and light-reflecting quality of natural teeth.
• They come in various shades of white, which allows people to choose the shade that fits their overall appearance.
• Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to stains, including those caused by tea, coffee, cigarette smoke, and red wine.

Are They Right for You?

These cosmetic dental enhancements serve as great alternatives to crowns, teeth-whitening treatments, and braces. However, they are not the right choice for everyone. Therefore, it is important to determine whether you are a good candidate for veneers. Some of the factors to consider include:

• The Health of Your Teeth

If you have a serious problem with periodontal disease, tooth fractures, or gum disease, then veneers may not be right for you. Dentistry has specific treatments for different types of cases. The great advantage of veneers, however, is that they can correct several problems with a single treatment. That said, you need to understand that no honest dentist will place veneers on unhealthy teeth.

• Whether You Grind Your Teeth

If you tend to severely grind or clench your teeth, you are not a good candidate for veneers. They are not as strong as natural teeth; therefore, they can break or splinter more easily. If you grind your teeth while sleeping, you can get porcelain veneers if you use a dental guard.

• Do You Have Good Tooth Enamel?

Veneers stick to the enamel on the surface of your teeth. If you have inadequate tooth enamel, however, it will compromise the effectiveness of the treatment.

To know whether veneers are right for you, visit John K. See, DDS, at our office in Camarillo, California. You can also call (805) 920-8600 to schedule an appointment today.