Many people are dissatisfied with their smiles and often wonder if there is a solution for a complete transformation. Today, Germantown Dental Group offers you answers to this question: How can veneers enhance my smile?
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are tailor-made shells designed to cover the front surfaces of your teeth. Crafted from either porcelain or resin composite materials, they are utilized to address a variety of dental issues, including:
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Worn down teeth
- Teeth with gaps between them
- Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth
How We Create Veneers
We follow a fairly standard procedure for most patients when applying traditional porcelain veneers, consistently achieving outstanding results:
- Consultation and Diagnosis: Your journey begins with a consultation with Dr. Whittemore or Dr. Gruen, who will assess your dental situation and discuss your treatment goals. During this visit, we typically take X-rays and impressions of your teeth.
- Preparation: Contrary to popular belief, we only remove about 0.5 to 1 millimeter of enamel from the teeth, which is approximately the thickness of the veneer itself. After removing the enamel, we create a mold and send it to a dental laboratory for the custom fabrication of your veneers.
- Dental Lab: Skilled technicians at the lab will create your veneers over 3-4 weeks. These veneers are designed to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. We often use porcelain, a material that mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth, providing a realistic appearance.
- Bonding: Once the veneers are ready, we follow steps others do not, creating the best bond possible and ensuring the greatest esthetics and longevity for your smile!
- Etching: The tooth surface is cleaned, polished, and etched to create a rough texture for a stronger bond.
- Cementation: A special cement is applied to the veneer, which is then positioned on the tooth.
- Curing: A light is used to harden the cement and secure the veneer in place.
- Final Adjustments: Any excess cement is removed, and your doctor will check your bite and make any necessary final adjustments to the veneers.
- Check-Ups: A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to ensure the veneers are correctly placed and to check for any issues with the gums or the fit of the veneers.
In our practice, we are also proud to offer DURAthin Prepless Veneers, as well as traditional porcelain ones. These are different in the sense that they can be applied to the teeth without removing the tooth enamel, retaining more of your natural tooth structure.
FAQs About Veneers
Regarding the benefits of veneers for you and your smile, here are some frequently asked questions:
Q: How long do veneers last?
A: The lifespan of veneers depends on several factors, including how well they are cared for, but porcelain veneers typically last between 10 and 15 years. We have many, many cases that have lasted upwards of thirty years in our office, far outlasting most providers on average.
Q: Are veneers reversible?
A: It’s important to note that the process is not reversible since enamel is removed from the teeth.
Q: Is the process of getting veneers painful?
A: Generally, the process is not painful. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area during enamel removal. Some patients may experience temporary sensitivity afterward, but this typically subsides within a few days.
Q: Do veneers require special care?
A: No special practices are required beyond maintaining good oral hygiene, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and attending regular dental checkups with your Germantown Dental Group team.
Q: Can my veneers be whitened?
A: Veneers themselves cannot be whitened. If you want to whiten your teeth, it’s best to do so before getting veneers. If your natural teeth change color over time, your veneers might no longer match, and you may need to replace them or have a touch-up procedure.
Q: What’s the difference between veneers and crowns?
A: Veneers cover only the front surface of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth. Veneers are primarily used for cosmetic purposes, whereas crowns restore function and strength to a damaged or decayed tooth. Both veneers and crowns can create lifelike esthetics. The only difference is whether the back of the tooth requires strengthening while creating your beautiful smile.
Q: Will veneers affect my speech?
A: There may be a short adjustment period where you notice slight changes in your speech, but this is common with many dental treatments. You should adapt quickly. Veneers are designed to be comfortable and natural-looking, so any impact on speech is usually minimal and temporary.
Q: What happens if a veneer gets damaged or falls off?
A: This seldom happens, but if a veneer falls off or gets damaged, contact Germantown Dental Group immediately. We can usually reattach it or create a new one for you. Do not attempt to repair it yourself, as this could worsen the situation.
A Stunning New Smile
Germantown Dental Group is proud to offer many types of cosmetic dentistry in addition to veneers, and you can be confident that our team of professionals can create results you’re happy with. If you’re interested in seeking this manner of treatment, contact us at our Germantown office, which is the perfect destination.