If you are concerned about your crooked, chipped, or fractured teeth, dental veneers are an excellent option for restoring them. According to the Oral Health Foundation, a veneer is a thin shell made of porcelain or composite resins attached to the teeth’ front surface to restore tooth structure and aesthetics. Unlike the dental fillings, which are directly placed on the teeth by the dentist, the veneers are first prepared in the dental laboratory and then bonded to the prepared teeth. Dental veneers are much more aesthetically pleasing, stronger and durable than dental fillings.
Veneers On Teeth Pros And Cons
Pros: Dental veneers offer several advantages over direct fillings. Since veneers are prepared in the laboratory, they fit perfectly over your teeth and are much stronger and durable. Also, the colour and shade of the veneers can be precisely matched with your natural teeth. Therefore, they get blended with your teeth and offer natural aesthetics, making them virtually indistinguishable from your teeth. Finally, they require considerably lesser tooth preparation than dental crowns.
Cons: A drawback of veneers is that your dentist will remove a thin layer of the outer tooth structure to create room for the attachment of the veneers. In addition, veneers are more costly than direct bonding.
Problems With Veneers?
Dental veneers do not cause many problems. One issue associated with the dental veneers is that a thin layer of the outer tooth enamel needs to be removed to create space for their attachment. However, the removed layer is thin that it will not cause tooth sensitivity or other problems. Another problem is that your veneers may come off if you eat hard or sticky food. Again, no need to worry; if your veneers come off, simply visit your dentist, and they will bond them back to the tooth.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
According to the American Dental Association, your veneers can last for up to ten years. Generally, the lifespan of dental veneers can be enhanced by taking care of your oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing. Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and dental care will also go a long way in enhancing the clinical life of your veneers.
Do Veneers Make Teeth Look Bigger?
Your dentist will carefully design the size, thickness and dimensions of your teeth, so they blend perfectly with your natural teeth. To ensure that your veneers do not look bigger than your teeth, your dentist will remove a thin layer of the dental enamel. This is done to create space for the attachment of your veneers. As a result, your veneers do not seem bigger or protruded compared with your natural teeth. Don’t worry; the removal of the dental enamel will not cause any permanent harm to your teeth, and they will not become sensitive – as only a thin layer will be removed.
Many dentists also use digital smile designs to produce an accurate replica of what you would look like once the veneers have been completed.
How To Tell If Someone Is Wearing Veneers?
When designed by an experienced dentist and fabricated by a master dental technician, it is tough to tell if someone is wearing veneers. This is because well-designed veneers become virtually indistinguishable from your teeth. On the other hand, poorly designed or fabricated veneers do not match well with the natural teeth are distinctly visible when one speaks or smiles, they usually look incredibly white, very sqaure and with little character.
Why Do Porcelain Veneers Look So Unrealistic?
Well-designed veneers offer excellent aesthetics and are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. This means when veneers are made well, they look so realistic you would think they are natural teeth.
The problem occurs when an inexperienced dentist designs the veneers. Poorly designed veneers have fitting issues that make them appear too small or too large, or they do not have the same shade or colour – which makes them appear unrealistic and unaesthetic. That is why you should always go to an experienced and qualified cosmetic dentist who has sufficient experience treating cosmetic dental problems.
Is It A Bad Idea To Veneer Healthy Teeth?
Your dentist will only prepare different types of veneers for your teeth once they are free from any teeth cavities or other problems. If an infected tooth is veneered without fixing the problem, the infection can flare up at any time leading to a dental emergency. In such cases, not only will the veneer become unusable, but you also may end up paying heavy bills for the treatment of the infection – such as the root canal treatment. That is why dentists first treat underlying problems and then veneer a tooth.
What Do Teeth Look Like Under Veneers?
Because the season usually need to be trimmed down to accommodate the newly shaped dental veneer, he can look like stumps. Your dentist will always try to keep this to a minimum, especially the dentist working to more conservative options, trying to maintain as much natural tooth structure as possible. Some dentists however, remove a considerable amount of tooth and this is not always the healthiest option.
Dental veneers are made from tooth-coloured materials that allow them to blend in with your natural teeth. In the case of porcelain veneers, they are designed using different layers of materials that mimic each layer of your teeth. This gives the veneers natural and pleasing aesthetics. Since both the composite and porcelain veneers are made from opaque materials, your teeth will not be visible under them. That is why dentists also use veneers for masking tooth stains that cannot be removed through professional whitening.
Dental veneers can be used to fix various cosmetic and restorative dental problems. If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in Oxford, look no more. At Smile Practice, our priority is giving a healthy, lasting and beautiful smile to our patients. Whether you have teeth stains or you would like to get your crooked or crooked teeth fixed, our experienced and qualified dentists can help you get rid of all your cosmetic dental problems. We offer all services under one roof – from teeth whitening to veneers and gum recontouring.
So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment with us today to discuss your options, and let us give you a smile that you can be genuinely proud of.