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An Essential Guide to Veneers

Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? This can happen for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they’re discoloured. Maybe one or more are noticeably chipped. Perhaps, due to injury or a similar reason, they are misshapen. This can even happen if you work hard to keep your teeth clean and undamaged. Quite simply, the kind of injury that can crack or chip your teeth isn’t always one you can avoid.

A compromised smile can have a major impact on your confidence. It can even affect your day-to-day life in ways you might not have considered. For instance, some people are so upset with their teeth’s appearance that they refrain from participating in social activities they typically enjoy. Some also avoid romantic activities, feeling their smile has a negative impact on their attractiveness.

While these concerns are likely greater than they should be (after all, your smile isn’t your only quality), they are completely understandable. Your smile is what you use to show the world your positive side. When it’s compromised, you’ll struggle to do so.

Luckily, there are options if you’re unhappy with your teeth. One of our dental experts will review their condition and determine which is best for your needs.

Often, they suggest veneers. These can frequently be used to improve the appearance of smiles that are compromised for a variety of reasons. 

What are veneers? How do they help? How do you get them? The following points will address all your questions, helping you better understand this treatment option.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are used to improve a smile when teeth are substantially misshapen, chipped/cracked, or discoloured (although teeth whitening may also be an option if your teeth’s discolouration isn’t significant). Veneers are also an option if there is a noticeable gap between teeth that needs to be closed up.

They’re typically made with porcelain. Unlike dental implants, which mimic both the full structure and appearance of a natural tooth, veneers are essentially thin plates designed to mimic the appearance of the front of a tooth. They’re applied on the front of the affected teeth, concealing them in a way that looks natural and realistic.

Getting Veneers: Why Choose This Option?

It’s worth noting that several of the problems solved by dental veneers (such as teeth discolouration) can also typically be solved by other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Thus, you might wonder why you would choose veneers when you have other options, such as teeth whitening, available to you.

It’s best to to discuss this topic in detail with your dentist. Every patient is different. The right treatment for one patient might not be ideal for another. If your dentist thinks veneers are the best option for your needs, they’ll gladly explain how they arrived at their decision.

That said, there are a few general reasons to choose veneers worth being aware of. First of all, veneers can correct multiple problems with a single treatment. For example, maybe your teeth are discoloured, and there happens to be gaps between several of them. Veneers can fix both problems.

Veneers also don’t require substantial maintenance. Cleaning them is as simple as cleaning your natural teeth. In fact, some patients find they grow accustomed to their veneers so quickly and thoroughly that it doesn’t take long for them to nearly “forget” their veneers aren’t natural.

On top of that, veneers tend to be very durable. While you do need to take care of them, if you practice basic maintenance (which you should be doing anyway, as your natural teeth also require regular care), they’ll stay in good condition for a decade, if not two decades. Your dentist will also happily let you know what you can do to optimise their lifespan.

These are all good reasons to consider veneers. That said, you should generally heed your dentist’s advice when they decide on a treatment for your problems. They’ll know which treatment is best.

The Process of Getting Dental Veneers: What You Need to Know

Getting dental veneers starts with a consultation between you and your cosmetic dentist. They need to discuss and review the condition of your teeth to determine a treatment option. Although this isn’t always necessary, sometimes dentists take X-rays and/or make impressions of your teeth when deciding how best to treat them.

If you decide on veneers, you’ll obviously want them to match the shape of your natural teeth. The goal is to restore your smile in a natural way. If the shape of your veneers didn’t correspond to the shape of your real teeth, they would be too noticeable.

That’s why cosmetic dentists send molds/impressions of your teeth to a lab. The lab workers create the veneers over the course of two weeks or so, making sure they perfectly match the shape of your teeth.

During this stage, cosmetic dentists also typically trim an extremely thin layer of enamel from the teeth that are going to be concealed behind veneers. This is necessary in order to accommodate them when they are applied later.

Once the veneers have been prepared, your dentist will confirm they are the right shape and colour. If so, they move on to the next stage, which involves cleaning your teeth thoroughly to prepare them for the veneers. They also polish your teeth to create a rougher surface. This helps the veneers adhere to your teeth more effectively. Your dentist can also trim and make adjustments to the veneers if they aren’t the perfect fit and/or shape yet. 

When the veneers are ready to be applied, your dentist will apply a special cement to the back of the veneers, then carefully place them over the affected teeth. Next, they apply a special light beam to the veneers. This light beam ensures the cement hardens quickly. Your dentist may also need to remove some excess cement before the treatment process is fully complete.

You and your dentist will then discuss the results. They’ll make sure you still have a strong bite, and confirm the veneers are in the right position. 

It’s likely your dentist will want you to schedule a follow-up visit a few weeks after getting veneers. They need to make sure the treatment is still effective. However, if you notice any problems (unlikely as they are) before your appointment date, get in touch with your dentist sooner rather than later. It’s important to address issues as they arise. Luckily, veneers tend to have a high success rate, making this something you probably don’t need to worry about.

Get Your Veneers from an Affordable Cosmetic Dentist

Do you think veneers are the right treatment option for your needs, but worry that they may be too costly? The truth is, the cost can vary on a case-by-case basis. The average in the UK is £500-1000 per tooth for porcelain veneers. However, the laboratory which creates the veneers will typically set their own prices.

That’s an important point to keep in mind. If you want to get veneers but don’t want to spend more than you can afford on them, you need to consider which factors you can exercise a degree of control over.

Odds are good you won’t be able to exercise much control over which laboratory creates your veneers. That said, you can choose which cosmetic dentist you get treatment from. Making the right choice is an easy and effective way to reduce the cost of treatment.

Fortunately, Riverside Dental Practice, in Stirling, makes finding an affordable cosmetic dentist easier than ever. Our dental experts understand that a compromised smile can have a major impact on the way you see yourself. Thus, we believe that everyone should be able to afford the treatments they need to correct these problems. That’s why we strive to work with our patients, making our services as affordable as possible. If you’re worried you can’t justify spending money on dental veneers right now, discuss your concerns with us. We may be able to come up with a solution to the problem together.

We’d also like to mention that providing veneers is by no means the only cosmetic dentistry service we offer. We also provide dental implants, teeth whitening treatments, and much more. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile for any reason, odds are good we can help. Learn more about what we can do for you today by phoning us on 01786 464 285 or contacting us online. As an after hours dentist, we can also usually accommodate your schedule!