What are Dental Veneers?

Having perfect teeth is not just about looking good or feeling confident; it can also be incredibly important for your oral health.

Crooked teeth or gaps between your teeth can impact on your ability to chew your food properly into easily digestible pieces and can make some areas hard to brush which can encourage plaque.

Uneven teeth can wear on each other causing discomfort as well as decay. For the long-term benefits it’s worth finding a good dental surgery in Brisbane or surrounding areas to see what can be done to fix your problems.

The value of cosmetic dental treatment

Cosmetic dental treatment, such as getting your teeth straightened or fixed in some other way, can be priceless. If you already suffer from regular dental issues you may find they go away with straighter teeth, saving you money in the long run.

Your confidence will be boosted by a healthy, happy smile and that can have positive impacts on your social life and even at work. There are several dental procedures that can enhance your teeth, but dental veneers can change how your teeth look in an amazing way.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are very thin slivers of porcelain or resin composite material that are glued over the top of your teeth. They can hide gaps and stains and make crooked teeth appear straight. If you have had root canal treatment in one of your front teeth, it will end up much darker than the rest. No amount of whitening can change the colour, but dental veneers can cover it up and give you a white smile. Veneers, also known as dental laminates, can hide chips and cracks in teeth, making them look like new again.

Of the two materials, porcelain is better because it more closely mimics the natural enamel of teeth. It resists staining better and also reflects the light more like tooth enamel does and so gives you a more natural look, especially in photos.

How the procedure is done

In some cases there may be no need to remove any of your natural tooth surface. These are called minimal or ‘no-prep’ veneers. Your dentist will assess your teeth, as not everyone’s teeth are suitable for veneers without removing some of the surface.

The impression of your teeth that the dentist will take on your first appointment is sent to a dental laboratory where technicians will make replicas of your teeth. It is these that will be used to custom-make the dental veneers.

This procedure can take several weeks so meanwhile, you will need to wear temporary acrylic veneers which will be cemented to your teeth.

Fitting the veneers

Once the porcelain veneers arrive back at the dental surgery, you will go in to have them fitted and fixed into place. The temporary veneers will be removed and your teeth and the veneers will be etched with a mild acidic solution so that they will bond firmly with the special adhesive. The acidic solution opens up the tiny pores in your teeth and when the translucent bond material is applied, it seeps into these tiny holes, ensuring a really strong bond.

Caring for your veneers

Although veneers don’t require any special treatment other than your normal dental hygiene routine to care for them, it is wise not to bite into hard surfaces. Biting ice, pencils or even your nails risks them coming off.

Pros and cons

Dental veneers are not for everyone; only people with strong teeth and a healthy mouth should have them. If you have gum disease or your teeth have been weakened by large fillings, or if you have only a small amount of enamel left on the surfaces of your teeth you should consider a different solution for your problem.

People who grind their teeth during the night are not good candidates for dental veneers as this action is likely to dislodge the veneers or break them off.

>To find out how Proactive Dental can help improve your confidence and oral health with our range of cosmetic procedures please contact us today. A healthy and beautiful smile is just a phone call away.