Advice on Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are like an overlay for your teeth. Veneers are made from porcelain or from a composite resin material. The procedure is done in a dental office by a general or cosmetic dentist.
Reasons for Dental Veneers
Many people who get veneers get them for cosmetic reasons. This is because veneers can make your teeth look nice and straight without the use of braces. They are also very white and do not stain as easily as your natural teeth alone.
In some cases there are large gaps in between teeth that widen with time. A dentist can apply veneers to the teeth to make the gaps virtually disappear. Veneers seem to be a great option for those that are unhappy with the way that their teeth are shaped and aligned.
If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth you might consider veneers as well. Discoloration of teeth can come from tea or coffee stains as well as a variety of other reasons. Perhaps the teeth are stained from smoking, or even from excessive fluoride intake.
On occasion veneers are placed on the teeth for other reasons. If the edges of the teeth have been chipped away from excessive grinding your dentist might recommend veneers. You might also get veneers if the enamel on your teeth is excessively worn.
Dental veneers do permanently change the shape of the tooth. The teeth have to be reshaped before applying veneers. This is done by shaving the tooth down to allow room for the overlay to be place on top. The entire procedure can be done in a dental office.
Types of Dental Veneers
If you decide to get veneers you will be faced with the decision of whether to get porcelain veneers or composite resin veneers. This is something that should be discussed with your dentist to find the best fit for you, but I will give you an overview of each type of veneer.
Porcelain veneers can be fabricated by a dental technician in a dental lab. They cannot be created directly in your mouth. Porcelain is easier to break. Your dentist will tell you to avoid biting into certain foods like raw carrots and apples. This doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy these foods any more, just that you will have to cut them up to eat them rather than biting into them with your veneers. If you break a porcelain veneer it cannot be repaired. It must be completely replace. With proper care porcelain veneers will last 10-15 years.
Resin veneers can be made in a dental lab. They can also be fabricated inside of your mouth. This means that they can be finished in just one visit. Composite resin veneers can also be repaired if they are broken. They also tend to be less expensive than porcelain veneers.
If you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep your dentist may recommend that you wear a dental appliance called a night guard. This will protect your veneers from the excessive grinding. A night guard is a plastic tray that fits over your teeth. Some people find these to be uncomfortable to wear.
After-care for Dental Veneers
If you decided to get veneers, it is important that you maintain your oral hygiene. This means brushing and flossing at least twice daily. It won’t hurt to use a mouth rinse as well. This will help to ensure that your veneers remain strong and that you don’t have to have them repaired or replaced before it is necessary.
Cost of Dental Veneers
On average a dental veneer wil cost on average £250-500 for each veneer as of March 2009.
Dental Veneer Conclusions
Dental veneers can give you that Hollywood smile but need to be looked after and can cost a lot of money - especially if you damage them!
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