If you’ve seen those pearly white, and perfectly even celebrity smiles, and you’ve wondered at your poor genetics, wonder no more. There are very few celebrities who are lucky enough to have both good looks and good teeth. And many times, it will take a lot more than repeat whitening treatments and maintenance to get those flawless smiles. Many of those beautiful smiles are enhanced by veneers, which are an excellent way to cover stains and correct minor misalignments. If you have ever felt self-conscious about your teeth and it has prevented you from smiling widely, here are a few things to consider about veneers..
Veneers are wafer thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the outer portion of your front teeth (or the teeth that show when you smile). These porcelain veneers are customizable and can reflect light in a way that gives your teeth a very natural, yet brighter appearance. Veneers can be used to improve the appearance of teeth that are worn down, broken, or chipped/cracked as well as the size, shape and length of your teeth. They can pretty drastically affect your smile line and over all appearance, as well. (Google image some before and after pictures of veneers to see how much they can affect your look.)
5.) What do I do to Maintain my Veneers?
Most veneers last for 5-10 years, however they will last even longer, if enough care and maintenance is given. You still must brush and floss properly as you would your original teeth. You should also make sure you visit the dentist regularly every 6 months for professional maintenance. If you do have a tendency to clench your teeth, or if you want to protect your investment, it is also a good idea to get a relatively inexpensive nightguard to wear at night to protect your veneers.
6.) Common Myths about Porcelain Veneers - Busted:
Myth #1 Veneers often look fake and unnaturally white - This is not true - most modern veneers can be beautifully customized to match the shape, thickness, translucency of your natural teeth. Your dentist will advise you of the best shade based on your goals and your complexion. The trick to avoiding “ chicklet-like” teeth, is to resist the temptation to go too light.
Myth #2 Most of the tooth is filed down in preparation for a veneer -This is not true- Very minimal preparation of the tooth is done for veneers. Usually only a half of a millimeter is removed during the process.
Myth #3 You only need veneers on the very front top teeth – Though this is often the case (your social six top teeth are the most commonly veneered), you can have other teeth such as your premolars and lower teeth also veneered to achieve a better esthetic, if deemed necessary.
Myth #4 The veneer process is a painful process – We will carefully numb all the area to be treated with topical anesthetic before we administer local anesthetic. This will minimize any discomfort felt during the procedure. Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is also an option to calm and soothe the patient