Wondering If Veneers Are Right For You? Here’s What You Should Know
Are dental veneers the right choice for you?
Do you catch yourself smiling in the mirror and wish you had a classic Hollywood smile? Do you notice gaps in your teeth you wish you could close without getting orthodontics?
If this sounds like you, know there are many different things you can do to fix your smile if you have imperfect teeth. Teeth that are chipped, stained, or have gaps can leave you feeling less confident in your smile. If you are looking for ways to improve your smile, Berrien Dental in St. Joseph and Berrien Springs, Michigan, have multiple cosmetic dental options available to you, including dental veneers. Read on to learn more about veneers and see if you are a good candidate for veneers.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are custom-made shells that are placed over your natural teeth to correct issues, such as chips, stains, and internal discoloration. Other issues, such as gaps and unevenness, can also be corrected with dental veneers. At Berrien Dental, we use porcelain veneers because porcelain is strong, durable, and looks and feels like your own, natural tooth. The porcelain veneers used at Berrien Dental come in over a dozen shades to help match to your natural teeth.
Composite veneers are another type of veneer that is crafted from tooth-colored resin. This type of veneer can be applied in a single visit, and is a more affordable option when compared to porcelain veneers. However, many dentists shy away from using composite veneers because they don’t last as long as porcelain veneers, and are more susceptible to staining.
Who are dental veneers best for?
There are limitations as to who is a good candidate for veneers. Dental veneers are ideal for people who have cosmetic concerns with their smile and have healthy teeth and gums. Because dental veneers are adhered to your teeth, people who have tooth decay or gum disease are not good candidates for dental veneers, and would need to address those issues before moving on to getting veneers. If you are not a candidate for veneers, there are other options available to those patients, and the team at Berrien Dental will be happy to discuss those options with you.
What are the benefits of dental veneers?
If you are considering veneers, you might be wondering what their benefits are. For one, people like veneers because they look like natural teeth. The porcelain used in dental veneers looks very similar in translucency to natural enamel, and can be custom colored to match your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are also stain-resistant, which is another reason why they are so popular.
Compared to some other cosmetic options, porcelain veneers are a quicker procedure, meaning you won’t spend as long in the dental chair as compared to other cosmetic dental procedures. Porcelain veneers are also long-lasting with proper care. This makes them a popular choice to help fix smiles.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Dental Veneers
Just like any other cosmetic dental procedure, there needs to be considerate thought put into dental veneers before you choose to get the procedure done. To make sure veneers adhere to the teeth properly, part of the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth is removed. This is an irreversible process, meaning if you choose to get porcelain veneers, you will always need veneers to protect your teeth.
Just because porcelain veneers are strong and made to last, you need to know that they can still chip. Because of that, you need to be aware when eating hard foods, like ice, hard candies, and nuts, which could cause cracks and chips. The same thing can happen with your natural teeth, as well. While rare, it is still something to think about before committing to veneers.
Porcelain veneers also require a good dental hygiene routine and regular dental visits to make sure your new smile stays in good condition. A professional dental polishing is recommended every six months when you go in for biannual checkups to help refresh the brightness of the porcelain veneers.
Come See the Berrien Dental Team Today
If you aren’t happy with your natural smile, but have teeth that are healthy, you can consider porcelain veneers to improve the way your smile looks. Dental veneers can be customized to fit your mouth, and the color can be matched to your natural teeth to make a seamless and near-perfect smile. If you are interested in getting veneers, schedule a consultation with Berrien Dental to see if you are a candidate for porcelain veneers, and let our dental team customize your new smile.