Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of plastic or porcelain that cover just the visible portion of your teeth, typically the front and the chewing surface. They can fix most cosmetic problems and transform a smile in just two appointments. Veneers are usually placed on front teeth that can be seen when you smile and can be used to resurface just one or several teeth. They are similar to artificial fingernails in size and appearance and serve a similar function as they are bonded to the natural surface to improve appearance. But veneers are firmly and permanently bonded and are custom designed for the exact fit and color of your teeth. When you see a complete smile makeover, very often, the person has received a new set of porcelain veneers.

If you have one or more teeth that are healthy but need some cosmetic improvement, you should talk to your North Valdosta Dental Care dentists about veneers. People get veneers for various reasons, but the result is always beautiful new teeth that make your smile more youthful and attractive.

Veneers completely cover the front of your teeth, giving them a brand-new, healthy appearance. Since veneers can change the size and shape of a tooth, they can be used for various purposes. They can:

• Close spaces between teeth
• Lengthen and change the shape of teeth
• Whiten stained teeth that resist conventional whitening
• Improve the appearance of chipped, cracked, or worn teeth
• Protect teeth from further damage

Yes. When you see a total smile makeover, very often, what you are seeing is a brand-new set of beautiful porcelain veneers. They can totally transform a smile in as little as two visits.

Natural teeth have a translucent appearance that can be most closely duplicated with beautiful porcelain veneers. Porcelain delivers the highest quality, longest lasting, and most lifelike results for veneers, and that is why it is typically used in “smile makeovers,” where an entire smile is to be transformed. The porcelain is extremely hard and durable, as well as very resistant to staining. It will show little signs of darkening with age.

There are a few potential disadvantages to porcelain veneers to discuss with your dentists. They take no less than two appointments because the teeth must be prepared by removing some of the existing tooth structure to make room for the veneers. Also, while the finished veneers form a tight, strong, and durable bond with your tooth, the porcelain can fracture under extreme stress. If fractured by teeth grinding or improper use, a porcelain veneer will probably need to be replaced.

Porcelain veneers take at least two appointments because your dentists must first shape your teeth and prepare them for the new veneers. Typically, this means removing some tooth tissue to make room for the new veneers and roughing the tooth surface to ensure a tight, strong bond. Next, your dentists will make a wax impression of your teeth to be used as a model for the porcelain to be shaped to your precise specifications. At the end of this first appointment, they can insert temporary plastic veneers to protect your teeth while the dental lab creates your custom-fitted veneers. During the second appointment, your dentists will remove the temporaries and use an adhesive to bond the porcelain veneers to your teeth. A harmless, high-intensity light will harden the adhesive and create a strong, durable bond between the veneers and the teeth.

The strength, durability, and life-like appearance of the porcelain veneers make them very popular and a stellar choice for a total smile transformation.

Once the veneer is in place, it will function like a regular tooth. A veneer is considered a permanent tooth restoration, but that doesn’t mean it is expected to last forever. Proper care and habits and regular dental examinations and cleanings will allow you to keep your veneers looking beautiful for ten years or more.