In This Article
The Steps of the Dental Veneer Procedure.
A dental veneer procedure is a very thin shell (layer) of tooth-colored material placed over the facial surface of the tooth. Permanent veneers are mostly made of composite resin or porcelain and are attached to the tooth surface using dental cement. A dental veneer is used to correct minor dental issues, which include cracks or chips on the tooth, tooth stain or discoloration, uneven spacing, teeth misalignment, worn down tooth enamel, etc.
Veneer treatment falls under the cosmetic dentistry category because it creates a makeover smiles with whiter, brighter, nicely shaped, and beautifully aligned teeth. However, the veneer treatment may also be grouped as protective dentistry because it may prevent the need for more extensive dental treatments.
Other benefits of dental veneer procedure include durability, it requires little or no removal of tooth structure (minimally invasive) compared to dental crowns (there are some modified dental veneers that do not require removal of tooth enamel), and it improves the appearance of your teeth and smiles.
Generally, veneers treatment can be used to solve almost all of your cosmetic dental problems, which may include:
. Worn down tooth enamel: some actions or factors may cause the tooth enamel to become naturally dulled or worn down over time, such as genetic predisposition, smoking, taking coffee or tea, taking alcohol, taking certain medications, etc. dental veneer is a perfect treatment for correcting worn down enamel.
.Dental wear and tear: our teeth may naturally wear due to aging. And there are chances that old teeth would easily crack, chip, or become uneven in appearance. Veneer treatments can be used to restore the natural appearance of the old teeth to youthful, healthy teeth.
.Abnormal spacing: some people are born naturally with unusual and irregular teeth spacing that widens with age. Veneers can be used to eliminate such dental gaps.
Uneven teeth: teeth-gnashing, teeth grinding, and general wear and tear can cause uneven teeth. Uneven teeth can lead to malocclusion or other cosmetic issues.
.Severe stained and discoloration: Seriously stained or discolored teeth may not be fully treated with teeth whitening treatment. In such a case, veneers treatment Houston can be a simple and affordable cosmetic solution.
Are You Eligible for Dental Veneers Treatment Houston?
To determine if you’re eligible for dental veneers treatment in Houston, you would need to schedule a dental consultation with your dentist who will evaluate your general dental health and discuss all the available dental treatment options for you. However, if you need a less invasive and less expensive treatment for your chipped, cracked, worn down, or stained/discolored teeth, your dentist may prescribe a dental veneer procedure. If you want a non-invasive dental treatment, then the veneer variant “Lumineers®” may be a better option.
During the consultation, if you or your dentist near me finally decides that dental veneers are a highly recommended treatment option, your dentist would move on to the next stage, which involves a thorough review of your dental details, sharing your preferences for the type, color, length, width, and shape of the veneers as well as your desired changes in your teeth appearance and smile. This will help your emergency dentist to provide a tailored dental treatment that will meet your expectations. After that, your dentist office near me would prepare your teeth for the dental veneer procedure.
Typical veneers treatment involves tooth preparation, which is irreversible, so it is very important for your dentist to know and understand your objectives and expectations during your veneers treatment consultation in Houston. After placing the veneers, your dentist would tell you everything necessary to do to make the veneers look and fit correctly.
What You Need to Know About Dental Veneer Procedure
Normally, a dental veneer procedure can be completed in just 2 dental visits, which may span over 6 weeks. These dental visits would be comprehensive and may require some hours of the dental examination and tooth preparation.
The dental examination stage is very important because at this stage the dentist would identify if there are any dental health issues that must be addressed first before placing the dental veneer. At this stage, your dentist would also work with you to choose highly recommended veneer material and shade. Advanced dental technologies like imaging technologies can help you to have a preview of your desired results. Once the dental examination is completed, your dentist would commence the veneers treatment according to the designed customized plan.
You may experience a level of pain during the veneers treatment in Houston. This is because tooth preparation involves the removal of a part of your tooth enamel which is slightly painful. However, your dentist may administer local anesthesia, use audio/visual distractions, or any other method to help you relax and stay comfortable.
Durability – How Long Do Veneers Last On Your Teeth?
Typically, dental veneers can last for about 10 to 15 years with good and proper dental care. The porcelain veneers are stronger and are more durable. As a result, they tend to live longer for several years. Nevertheless, just like natural teeth, the dental veneer is still susceptible to damage. This means that the dental veneer may break or come off. Despite the fact that veneers are durable and are made from strong cemented dental materials, they are still destructible.
In case your veneer slips off or breaks, carefully store it or any of its missing parts and take them to your dentist as soon as possible for reattachment or repair. Fortunately, veneer break or slip off does not cause any pain or discomfort to the patients.
So, how long does a dental veneer last? The right answer to this question largely depends on your oral care practice – how much care you give to the dental veneer. This means that it is up to the patient to protect the dental veneers in order to increase its lifespan.
How to Make Your Veneers Last Long?
It is important to note that dental veneers are not maintenance-free or meant to last forever. So, only little can be done about the natural lifespan of a dental veneer. Nevertheless, you can make full use of the dental veneer and make it last longer by treating it well. Here are some ways to take proper care of your dental veneers.
. Observe good and proper dental hygiene practices. Make sure that you brush your teeth at least twice daily using good toothpaste. Also, floss at least twice daily and ensure that you visit your dentist for regular dental cleaning and check-ups.
. As much as possible, put on a mouth guard or any other oral protection. This will prevent impacts on the face from causing damage to the veneer.
. Avoid using your teeth as tools. It’s a dangerous habit to use your teeth as scissors, opener, or to loosen a knot, but it’s one of the most dangerous habits when it comes to the integrity of your teeth. Not only does it invite germs, but it’s a surefire way to chip a veneer, ending its lifespan early.
. If you’re suffering from teeth grinding (bruxism), quickly talk to your dentist about it. If bruxism is left untreated, it may not actually break or crack the veneer, but the veneer may not last long.
Permanent veneers may be a highly recommended solution to your dental problem. Though they are durable, they still need proper care. Therefore, treat them with proper care, and you’ll enjoy them for over a decade. Contact URBN Dental today to learn more about dental veneers.