It’s okay to not be happy with parts of yourself, for you can’t fix everything. But if you can fix something that you don’t like about yourself, wouldn’t it be worthwhile looking at as an option? Take a cosmetic dentist, for example.
Their job is to make sure that people are happy with their teeth. By offering a range of services, their patients are able to enjoy a boost in self-esteem, not to mention excellent oral health.
From teeth whitening to dentures, braces to fillings, there’s almost nothing that a general or cosmetic dentist can’t do for you. However, there’s one service that many patients are seeing the value in, and that’s dental veneers. What are they, and why do you need them?
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin composite or porcelain shells that are designed to adhere to the surface of your teeth. Their job is to protect your tooth from damage and improve its appearance. Dentists often recommend veneers for anyone who has a chip, crack, or gap they want to improve, or permanent staining that in-chair teeth whitening can’t fix.
Veneers are a cost-effective option for anyone who has teeth they are not happy with but are not decayed or damaged enough to be removed or treated.
How Are Veneers Applied?
The process of getting veneers is straightforward, but it can take up to three visits to a cosmetic dentist to achieve the desired result. The first visit is a consultation, while the second and third involve the creation of veneers and the adhesion process.
Your cosmetic dentist will reshape the surface of your tooth before trimming off the enamel. They will then make a model of your tooth for the construction of the veneer in a laboratory.
Once it’s created, the dentist places it on your tooth temporarily to check its fit and colour. Sometimes, they will trim the veneer and adjust the colour of the adhesion cement to make sure it looks exactly like your other teeth.
Your natural tooth is then cleaned, polished, and etched to make sure it’s rough enough for the veneer to be bonded to it. A bonding cement secures the veneer to your tooth.
Some cosmetic dentists will request a follow-up visit to make sure everything’s okay, but patients can expect a natural-looking tooth once the entire process is complete.
Why Might Veneers Work For You?
There are several reasons why you might see the value in dental veneers, or why your cosmetic dentist might recommend them. Sometimes, a root canal or particular prescription medication can cause permanent staining. As traditional whitening methods aren’t effective, veneers are often an excellent alternative.
Teeth that are worn, broken, or chipped are also often candidates for veneers, as are misaligned, gappy, or irregular-shaped teeth.
If you’re not happy with your teeth, then why not find out what you can do? Make an appointment with your local cosmetic dentist and see whether dental veneers – among many other cosmetic services – might be right for you.
