The techniques used in cosmetic dentistry have changed and improved over the last several decades. One development is the use of cosmetic veneers, often used in place of cosmetic crowns. Using a veneer is much less invasive than a crown, and provides excellent, long-lasting results.
What Can Be Treated with Veneers?
The versatility of veneers makes them an ideal treatment for a number of cosmetic issues. They are affixed to the fronts of the teeth, and can thus disguise any issues that affect the tooth surface. Veneers can also disguise minor issues with tooth positioning. Some common problems treated with veneers include:
- Cracks, pitting, or chips
- Severe staining or intrinsic discoloration
- Slight gaps between the teeth
- Minor misalignment
Made of very thin porcelain, veneers don’t require the dentist to remove very much of the underlying tooth enamel to make room for them. This in contrast to dental crowns, which need the tooth to be significantly altered in shape before the crown can be set into place. In addition, crowns tend to be opaque, while veneers are partially translucent, which more closely approximates natural enamel.
Treatment with Veneers
Veneers are custom made. You dentist makes molds of your teeth from which the veneers are made, and also carefully color-matches so the veneers will blend in with your other teeth. Veneers are generally placed in two stages. First, a thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the teeth to make room for the veneers. After molds are made, they’re sent to an off-site lab that specializes in making veneers. While you wait for the permanent veneers, temporaries are placed on your teeth to protect them.
Some veneers are thin enough that the restructuring is unnecessary, and the veneer is affixed directly to the tooth surface. Once treatment is complete, you can brush and floss your teeth normally. Be sure to continue to visit the dentist regularly to have your veneers evaluated in case decay develops along their edges or underneath them.
If you’re considering veneers for your smile, call us at Kemp & Borovac Dentistry today!