If you are tired of having problems with unsightly teeth, you don’t have to just resolutely deal with it. One of our services here at Gentle Dental Arts is providing porcelain dental veneers for our patients in Orem, Utah and the surrounding communities who need help with their teeth. Veneers are ideal for fixing certain dental issues that might be causing you to feel self-conscious, reluctant to smile or speak with others in social situations.
These thin shells are molded to fit over the front of your teeth to alter their appearance with a flawless cosmetic fix. They are attached to the teeth to blend in naturally by recreating tooth enamel. While porcelain veneers may be a cosmetic fix, they are also more durable and stain-resistant than their composite counterparts, providing you with a valuable restoration for many years, usually ranging anywhere from 7-15 years.
Who can benefit from dental veneers?
You might benefit from wearing veneers if you have chipped, cracked, or worn down teeth. If your teeth are irregular and stained, whether from having a previous filling, a root canal, or severe staining, veneers can correct these. Even if you have spaces between the teeth, dental veneers can fix this, as well as teeth that are slightly misaligned. With the help of dental veneers, you can change the color, shape and size of your problem-teeth for an instant transformation and a renewed sense of self-confidence.
Because veneers are custom molded and bonded to your teeth they can blend in seamlessly. This is important because they can be made in a dazzling white shade, or if you want them to blend in with your surrounding teeth, can also be shaded to do just that. Porcelain veneers don’t require special care, so you can simply do what you are doing for the rest of your natural teeth – brush and floss daily.
One thing to keep in mind is that the veneers will maintain their color permanently, so as the surrounding teeth change over time, they may stand out more. Seeing your dentist regularly to maintain your teeth’s health and appearance should prevent this from happening. Bear in mind that porcelain is a delicate material, so compared to a crown or filling, it can be chipped or cracked more easily. Of course, if you avoid bad habits like using your teeth as tools, chewing on ice or biting your nails, your veneers will stay strong and intact to provide you with a beautiful smile in the years to come.
Because the veneers are created from porcelain, they are a somewhat expensive restorative option, anywhere from $1,000-$2,000, and because they are a cosmetic option, they are usually not covered by dental insurance. But the good news is, they also tend to last much longer than veneers made from other materials.
Getting and taking care of your porcelain veneers
First, you can generally expect to have two visits with our team as our dentist performs the preparatory groundwork. This may include drilling and reshaping the natural teeth that will be covered by the veneers. Once this is done, a dental laboratory will custom-create your veneers to your unique tooth color and shape. The result will be a stunning change, with durable teeth that are resistant to future staining.
Once your new porcelain veneers are in place, you will still want to take good care of them and maintain their upkeep, because they can still harbor plaque and tartar build up the way your own teeth tend to do. Your dental hygiene habits will determine the health of your teeth and gums and also the appearance and performance of your veneers. You will want to brush twice daily, floss once a day, and maintain all dental cleanings with our dentist twice a year. Your daily efforts help keep tooth decay and gum disease away, but tartar (hardened plaque) needs to be professionally removed using special dental tools designed for the job. This also means that the tooth beneath your veneer is still vulnerable to decay, so if you don’t take care of it, you can find yourself with a root canal or dental crown.
While you don’t need to restrict your diet, you do need to treat your veneers as carefully as your natural teeth. Don’t chew on hard things that aren’t food (like pens and toothpicks), or use your teeth as scissors because, over time, these habits can wear on your veneers. Habitually chewing hard candy, ice, nuts, or meat with bones, just isn’t worth damaging your natural teeth or your veneers!
Speaking of food, you can pretty much enjoy your favorites. In fact, if you’re a big fan of blueberries, lattes, and wine, you don’t have to worry about them discoloring your veneers like they do your natural teeth.
Are dental veneers right for your needs?
If you have never considered using dental veneers to fix your cosmetic issues, you might be pleased to discover that you are a good candidate for veneers. You may not be a good candidate for them if you have a history of gum disease or poor tooth enamel that makes you prone to cavities. If this is the case, our skilled dentist, Dr. Alexander Larsen, offers other restorative options to help you with damaged or missing teeth.
If you are a candidate for dental veneers, you can rest assured Dr. Larsen will provide you with the custom-made porcelain veneers that will comfortably and beautifully complement your smile. As we mentioned above, your new veneers can usually be done in only two visits. If you have questions about dental veneers or have other dental concerns, we invite you to reach out to us by calling 801-788-4922 today. We are here to answer your questions or to schedule a consultation for you with our dedicated team!