Dental Veneers Are a Powerful Tool for Transforming Teeth

The simplicity of dental veneers is what makes them a most powerful tool in a good dentist's toolbox. Dental veneers are simply a thin piece of material which is placed over a tooth. Once there, they serve one of two functions, and often perform both. The first function that veneers can perform is to improve the overall esthetics of the tooth itself with regard to shape, color, and spacing of the tooth. The second function that veneers can perform is to protect the tooth from damage, or further damage as the case may be. Once adhered to the tooth using dental cement, veneers are incredibly similar in nature to enamel. This means they are at once hard, and, therefore, able to handle most foods and brittle, meaning that you will need to take care not to damage them with foods that may cause breakage.

Dental veneers primarily are made of two different materials. Preference to what kind of material is usually a discussion between you and us. The two types of material used are a composite and dental porcelain. The major difference, and we can discuss this at more length, is that porcelain veneers have to be fabricated in a dental laboratory by a technician. Composite veneers can also be fabricated in a lab, but they can be applied directly to the teeth as well. Regardless of which type of veneer we use, your teeth will look amazing once done.

Since the number of people who are having dental veneers installed is growing, there are a number of frequently asked questions that come up on a regular basis. We have attempted to answer some of these here, but still encourage you to schedule a consultation and ask us questions.

• What is the life cycle of dental veneers?

It is important to realize that dental veneers are completely inanimate. The better care you take of them, the more likely they are to last a very long time. We have found that dental veneers can last anywhere from seven to thirty years depending on the person taking care of them. On the other hand, your mouth is not stagnant and may change, which could result in needing additional veneers in the future.

• How will having dental veneers impact my life?

The only impact dental veneers will have on your life is a positive one since you will have a radiant smile. There are some concerns about oral health and habits so we wanted to address those. Once you have dental veneers, your oral hygiene habits should remain the same, brushing twice per day, flossing, and rinsing after meals. Since the veneers only take the place of the enamel, maintaining them is exactly the same.

• I have heard coffee and tea can be bad after getting dental veneers? 

Coffee and tea are not bad for the veneer itself. However, if you are in the habit of excessively drinking beverages that stain teeth, or eating foods that stain the teeth, you may want to consider a change in habits. The veneers itself will not stain at all, but your naturally occurring teeth around the dental veneer will. In order to maintain a consistent color of your teeth, you should be cautious with the use of products that can stain teeth and if you do get stains, we can complete a teeth whitening procedure to brighten your teeth again.