Having a beautiful smile can have a lot of effect on one’s personality. It will not only contribute to a healthy social life but also enhance their self-esteem; making them always comfortable in their skin.
A good dentition makes for a beautiful smile. In Cosmetic dentistry, dentists make use of veneers to improve the appearance of the teeth and gums. They not only improve the aesthetics of the smile, they also enhance the overall dental health.
Since everyone wants to have a beautiful smile, it’s easier to say “Dental veneers are for everyone”. Nonetheless, in this article, we are going to explore everything you need to know about dental veneers, so you can decide whether it’s something you should go for.
Understanding Dental Veneers
Applying dental veneers on the teeth is like renovating an old or dilapidated house. Veneers are ultra-thin custom-made shells that are designed to bond to the front surface of the teeth. These cosmetic Dental veneers are applied to enhance teeth with imperfections like small tooth gaps, discolouration, staining, misshaped enamel, or any form of misalignment.
There are 2 major types of dental veneers. They include:
1. Porcelain Veneers
This is a long-lasting dental Veneer. They are custom-made from Porcelain materials with a translucent appearance that mimics the natural teeth. Due to the different procedures required to fix them, it takes a couple of appointments before they are accomplished.
They come in an average of 6-10 pairs of teeth and there’s usually a need for a little readjustment of the natural enamel so that they can fit properly.
These dental veneers can last for up to 10 years and even more. It only requires that the teeth are protected from germs and infection through daily brushing and flossing. Another interesting thing about these cosmetic dental Veneers is that they are less porous, therefore they are quite resistant to staining.
2. Composite Veneer
This is called the “same-day treatment” veneer. These veneers are made from resins and are sculpted to fit the desired shape in front of the teeth. It is applied when there are just one or two problematic teeth.
Unlike the Porcelain Veneer, they do not last long and due to their porous nature, there are possibilities of staining when certain foods or beverages are consumed.
There’s also the alternative veneer. This particular Veneer is not customized. It is bonded over fully intact teeth without any adjustment. As a result, they can be removed at any time. Nevertheless, it is not for everyone. There are certain qualities your teeth must have before you can go for it.
Evaluating Whether a Dental Veneer is Good for You
Although the aesthetics of a beautiful smile can be desired by anyone (everyone, if you ask me), not everyone is eligible for a dental veneer treatment. Certain factors should be in place before you can enhance your teeth’ appearance with dental veneers.
1. Oral Health Condition
Dental veneers are only administered if the teeth are in healthy condition. Before the treatment can be administered, the dentist will have to check for any underlying dental issues like decay or infection. If they are present, they should first be treated before applying cosmetic veneers.
2. Expectations
You know what they say: the way our faces are different, so are our problems. In the same vein, when it comes to teeth enhancement, our expectations are also different. Veneer care can be administered to you if you have closed teeth gaps, overcrowded teeth, stained teeth, miss-aligned teeth, or chips.
Whichever your problem, will determine the veneer treatment most applicable to you.
3. Budget
Cosmetic veneer treatment requires money. The different packages, nonetheless, vary in their price. A porcelain veneer, with lasting capability, will require more funds when compared to the one-time treatment.
There are also cases of maintenance that require regular checkups. All of these should be put into consideration before choosing which veneer treatment is for you, and which is your best option.
4. Maintenance and AfterCare
Because veneer cosmetics are artificial, there’s a need for them to be maintained and adequately cared for. When they are left uncared for, they might not last long and can lead to other unhealthy conditions. Therefore, before opting for one, it is good you are familiar with their maintenance techniques.
- Oral Health: To prevent any form of decay or infection, the mouth should be washed twice daily with a soft-bristle brush. There’s the need for flossing too. These will help to keep the cosmetic veneers in good condition.
- Checkups: The need for regular checkups can not be compromised. This will help maintain the veneer and ensure regular good oral health.
- Avoid Damaging Habits: Having dental veneer will mean avoiding some habits that are likely to distort or damage them. Some of them include teeth grinding or biting on hard objects. The use of custom-made night guards is a welcome tool as they help safeguard veneers especially when we sleep.
Summary
Dental veneers provide a guaranteed means of maintaining a beautiful smile.
From long-lasting porcelain to alternative veneers, there are different options to suit your dental needs and desires.
Nonetheless, familiarity with certain factors such as oral health conditions, expectations, budget, and maintenance techniques will help you understand whether a dental veneer is for you or not.
If having an everyday beautiful smile sounds appealing to you, try out our different options of dental veneers and enjoy satisfying dental health.