Dental Veneers

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are small, very thin caps—usually made of porcelain—that are placed on the front of your teeth. While crowns are more commonly used on the larger back molars and side teeth, veneers are often used to improve the appearance of front-facing teeth. Veneers come in a variety of thicknesses, durability, shades, and materials. 

Are dental veneers right for me?

Dental veneers can be a good option for correcting minor flaws or irregularities in your smile, like:

• A small gap between teeth
• A tooth that has become discolored, such as after a root canal
• Chipped teeth
• Irregularly shaped or slightly crooked teeth
• Tooth staining that does not respond to whitening treatments

The dentists at Bright Now! Dental can help you determine if dental veneers are right for you. Schedule a consultation today!

How are veneers applied?

Before your veneers can be created and placed, your dentist will examine your teeth to check for things like gum disease or tooth decay and determine if you will need any preliminary treatments to prepare your teeth, such as braces or a root canal. This is also when you and the dentist will discuss your options for veneers, including how many you need or want to be placed, what type of material, and the shade.

Once the dentist decides you are a good candidate for veneers, he or she will prep your teeth for the impression.

Placing veneers properly requires some of your enamel to be removed, so to make an accurate impression, the dentist will use a grinding tool to trim about half a millimeter of enamel off the teeth to be treated. Then he or she will use a plaster mold to take the impression, which is sent off to a lab to make your custom veneers.

Your veneers will be ready in about 1 to 2 weeks, and you can make an appointment to have them placed. 

During the placement appointment:

1. The dentist will make sure the new veneers will fit your teeth and blend in naturally with the rest of your smile.
2. You’ll have a thorough teeth cleaning to make sure there will be no bacteria or tartar trapped under the veneer.
3. The tooth or teeth being treated are “roughened” with the grinding tool to help the veneer stick to the teeth.
4. The veneers are applied to the teeth with a dental cement that is then hardened with a special UV light.

An appointment to place veneers takes about 2 hours on average, but this can depend on how many veneers you are having placed and how extensive of a cleaning you will need. Most people will get between 4 and 8 veneers to make sure the treated teeth not only blend in with other natural teeth but with the other veneers themselves. 

What are the benefits of veneers?

• Veneers can improve the appearance of your smile without the need for tooth extractions.
• Once the impression is created, veneers can be placed in a single appointment.
• Veneers are durable and, with proper care, can last for years.
• Veneers are more resistant to future staining than dental bonding.
• Veneers can address several cosmetic issues in one procedure.
• There is no recovery time, and most procedures can be done without anesthesia or even a local numbing agent.

How do you care for dental veneers?

Dental veneers require the same care as natural teeth, and good oral hygiene is important to protect the teeth and teeth roots behind the veneers. This includes daily brushing and flossing and regular dental exams and cleanings.

Veneers can start to fade over time, but you won’t be able to brighten them using whitening strips or treatments. However, your dentist can polish the veneers to remove any stains and discolorations so you can keep a beautiful, brilliant smile.

Dental Veneers at Bright Now! Dental

Dental veneers are just one of many cosmetic dentistry services offered at Bright Now! Dental, and with multiple retail locations, flexible scheduling, and easy payment options, we make getting the smile of your dreams fast, convenient, and affordable. We also offer a full complement of general and specialty dentistry services, including emergency and orthodontic, so you can keep your beautiful smile healthy for life.

From routine teeth cleanings to restorations, preventative treatments to placing veneers, make Bright Now! Dental your family’s choice for complete, quality dental care. Find the Bright Now! Dental location nearest you and schedule an appointment today!