Wednesday, June 25, 2014

How to Tell if Dental Veneers are Right for You

Dental Veneers
Many people benefit from dental veneers and how they can improve a smile.  Veneers are a natural looking solution for turning dated, worn, or damaged teeth into something strong and beautiful.  They are created in a lab using a mold of your mouth so that they will always be the perfect fit and look great.
There are several types of cosmetic dentistry procedures so before you decide which one is right for you it is important to consider what your overall goals are.  Here is information you can consider prior to speaking with your dentist.

Do you want a whiter smile?
If your biggest complaint is that your teeth look yellow, you should start by having your teeth professionally whitened.  This is an easy way to brighten your smile and your appearance.  Professional teeth whitening solutions are much stronger than what you can purchase in the store so the results are significant and can whiten teeth by up to eight shades.  Once you are done with your procedure you will be able to tell if there are lingering stains that won’t come off.  When this is the case, dental veneers may be a good option.  They can be placed on top of stained teeth and made to match the white shade of the surrounding ones.

Is your tooth damaged?
If your tooth has become cracked, chipped, or damaged in some way, it is important to fix it for your appearance and for your health.  The type of damage will determine what type of procedure you will need.  Most basic issues like cracks and chips can be corrected with dental veneers.  Since veneers are placed on the front of your tooth they will provide a natural looking appearance without the damage being visible.  If the damage comes from a severe tooth infection that needs a filling or root canal, a dental crown may be a more viable option since it surrounds the tooth entirely and can provide additional strength and durability.

Have you lost a tooth?
If your tooth has fallen out, or is about to, dental veneers won’t be able to help.  Veneers require an existing tooth in order to be placed.  They cannot sustain on their own.  People that have lost a tooth can still have it replaced but a dental implant or bridge is a better solution.  Both will stay in place and give a patient the functionality that they are looking for.  Partial and full dentures can also be worn when there is tooth loss.

Do you want to close a gap?
Small gaps in between your teeth can be corrected with dental veneers.  This is an excellent way to improve your smile and your appearance without waiting for braces to work and then be removed.  Instead of taking a couple of years to close a gap, it can be done in a single procedure with stunning results.

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry and the options that are available for your smile, give us a call.