Dental veneers are very thin shells of custom-made materials that are crafted to cover the entirety of the front surface of a tooth. Made of tooth-colored materials, your cosmetic dentist will specifically design them to improve your smile. They will be made to flatter your face shape, your skin and lip color and tone and your hair coloring. Veneers are permanently bonded to the front of your tooth and can change everything about a tooth including size, shape, color or length.
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain, composite resin materials or porcelain bonded to metal. Porcelain is the most popular choice for veneers, as they possess light-reflecting properties that are very similar to the translucency and reflective properties of natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are also more stain-resistant than composite resin over time. Resin veneers have the advantage, however, of being thinner, and thereby requiring less removal of natural tooth prior to bonding and final placement.
All types of veneers can correct a host of dental problems such as chipped or broken teeth, discolored teeth, or teeth with gaps between them. Misshapen, misaligned or irregular teeth can also be corrected with veneers. Teeth that are worn down due to age can be made to appear longer with veneers, something that instantly makes you look more youthful.
If you choose veneers, you will begin by planning your therapy with molds or x-rays. Preparation for a dental veneer requires less than half a millimeter of enamel be removed from your tooth’s surface. An impression will be taken of your tooth or teeth and sent to a dental lab where your tooth can be crafted. Some dental offices have in-house labs for faster turnaround. While you wait for your new veneers, temporary veneers may be applied.
Central Falls cosmetic dentist, Dr. Frias will apply each tooth by hand, examining it for shape, color and optimal placement. Once the bonding agent has been applied, the bond is set with a special light, making the bond permanent. Your brilliant new smile is complete!
