Everything You Need to Know About Dental Veneers

Veneers might be the choice for you if you would like to improve the look and functionality of your teeth. But first, discover how the process works.

Dental veneers allow you to fill in missing or stained portions of your teeth, restoring functionality and beauty to your smile. An experienced cosmetic dentist might recommend veneers if you have damaged or missing teeth. Through a process of fitting and matching the veneers to your existing teeth, your dentist can incorporate veneers seamlessly into your mouth, making them indistinguishable from your other teeth.

What are dental veneers made of?

Most veneers are made from either porcelain or a composite resin. Porcelain units last longer and resist stains more easily, making dental care a simpler matter. Composite resins, however, are less expensive, and are thus accessible to a wider range of patients.

What do dental veneers do?

Veneers serve a range of different purposes, including:

• Filling in gaps between your teeth.
• Restoring teeth that have become worn, chipped, or broken.
• Repairing misshapen teeth.
• Covering up discolored parts of your teeth.

Although veneers are not the only solution to these problems, they have a key advantage over other treatments—namely that the dentist does not have to remove your existing teeth to install them. As a result, they tend to look more natural than other prosthetics.

What is the preparation process like for getting veneers?

Before you get a veneer, your dentist will give you a visual examination and conduct x-rays. She will then determine whether you qualify for veneers, show you pictures of what the veneers will look like, and discuss other options to repair your teeth.

If you choose to get veneers, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which she will use as a model to manufacture them. She may also have to grid down the tooth or teeth you are having fixed so that the veneers fit better.

Once I have veneers, how should I take care of them?

In general, dental veneers require the same level and type of care that natural teeth do. You should thus brush them twice a day and floss them regularly. They do, however, require a few unique precautions, notably:

• Hard Food Care – Do not bite directly into apples, hard candy, nuts, and other hard foods, as this can damage the veneers. Slice those foods into small pieces and chew them gently from the back of your mouth.
• Stain Awareness – While porcelain veneers resist most stains, they are vulnerable to wine, coffee, berry juice, and certain teas. You should thus be careful when eating or drinking items with heavy pigmentation.
• Dental Diligence – Whenever you visit the dentist, remind her that you have veneers. She will then use a paste designed specifically to clean them.

If you think your teeth may need a cosmetic upgrade, Arkansas Family Dentistry provides veneers, implants, crowns, and other dental solutions to patients throughout Little Rock. For more information on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, schedule an appointment today by calling (501) 683.8886.