What Can Dental Veneers Correct?
Dental veneers can be used to whiten and reshape your teeth. They can correct:
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Poorly shaped teeth
- Short teeth
- Worn teeth
They can be used to correct a single tooth or give you an entirely new smile.
What Is The Process?
During your consultation with Dr. Rice, you will talk about your cosmetic goals. He will evaluate your oral health and make sure you are a good candidate for dental veneers. He will then help you design your new smile so it meets your goals and reflects an attractive, natural proportion.
Next, your teeth will be prepared to receive the veneers. This means that some material will be removed so that the veneers can be added without making your teeth look bulky or unnatural. It also means there will not be small ledges at the edges of the veneers that can collect food and bacteria, fostering decay, which can occur with “prepless veneers” that are sometimes advertised.
Dr. Rice will make impressions of your teeth, make specifications about color and shape of the final veneers, then send the information away to a lab where your veneers will be crafted. This takes a couple of weeks. While your veneers are being crafted, you will wear temporary veneers that are good looking but not as durable as the final product.
Once your veneers are ready, you will come into the office to have your temporary veneers removed and your permanent ones placed. You will have a chance to see them in place and evaluate them before they are permanently bonded. If you like them, they will be bonded to your teeth, and you have your new smile.
Are Veneers Stain Proof?
Dental veneers are stain resistant. They tend to repel organic compounds and bacteria as long as the polished surface remains. If you damage your veneers by scratching or chipping them, they will begin to stain.
How Should I Care For My Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers require no more care than your regular teeth. The same things that have the ability to damage your teeth can damage your veneers, such as crunching ice or using your teeth as tools. You should brush and floss your teeth normally. We will give you a list of toothpastes that don’t have harsh abrasives that can damage your veneers.
How Long Will They Last?
When properly cared for, veneers should last a decade or two. Studies show that about 96% of veneers will be in place 10 years later, and about 83% will be in place 20 years later. Dental veneers are more likely to fail early if you have bite problems or place them on teeth that have a dead nerve.
Have more questions about dental veneers? Please call the best dentists in Irvine at (949) 551-5902 or via email today.
