Veneers Can Improve Your Smile
by
Gen Wright
Today cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, from whitening and shaping, to closing spaces and replacing teeth, there is something for everyone who wants to improve their smile. Age, food and drink stains and tobacco use are among the reasons people want to improve the look and feel of their teeth. If you want to alter the position, shape, size or color of your tooth, veneers could be an option for you.
What are veneers?
Veneers are very thin, custom-made shells of tooth colored materials designed to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve the overall appearance. The shells are bonded to the front of the teeth to change the color, shape, size or length. Dental bonding also fixes the same ailments and can be removed, unlike veneers which are permanent. Veneers last longer and have better color than bonding. Veneers are also less expensive than crowns. They provide strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. They can be made from porcelain or from a resin composite. Porcelain veneers resist stains better while resin veneers are thinner and require less removal of the tooth surface. You will discuss the best choice with you Boulder dentist.
The procedure
Getting dental veneers usually requires at least three appointments. The first appointment is for diagnosis and treatment planning, second for preparation and the last one for the actual bonding process. During the first visit, you explain to your dentist the results you wish to achieve. Your dentist will then decide if veneers are appropriate for you. The tooth preparation visit usually lasts for about one to two hours and entails the teeth being lightly buffed to allow for the added thickness the veneers will provide. This may require a local anesthetic, as about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed. A mold is then taken of the teeth and sent to a lab for the creation of the custom-made veneers. This usually takes about one to two weeks. When the veneers are eventually ready, you would go in for your third visit for the bonding procedure. Before they are permanently cemented in your dentist will place the veneers on your teeth or tooth to test its fit and color. Your teeth are then cleaned, polished and etched, to prepare the tooth or teeth for the bonding process. Cement is then placed on the veneer to be permanently attached to your teeth. A special light is then shone on the veneer to activate the cement, causing it to harden very quickly.
After care of the veneers
There is a two-week period of adjustment that follows the bonding procedure where you may notice the change in your teeth. It is very important to brush and floss daily as you would with natural teeth to prevent decay and gum disease. Your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment two weeks after the procedure so they can see how your teeth are reacting to the veneers.
To learn more about veneers or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, contact your Boulder, CO dentist today.
Dr. John Montoya,
Boulder, CO dentist
has been practicing dentistry since graduating with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Creighton University. Dr. Montoya is a well-trained general and cosmetic dentist and offers a variety of dental services at his practice including dental implants, Invisalign, veneers and
teeth whitening in Boulder
, among others.
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