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Despite what Hollywood might make you think, most people don’t have perfect, beautiful teeth. In fact, many celebrities like Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, and Miley Cyrus owe their award-winning smiles to a cosmetic dental treatment called veneers! Even though they’re a popular choice on the red carpet, this stunning dental service is widely available to just about anyone. What’s better, they can help you achieve your dream smile in two appointments! If you’re ready to say goodbye to the chips, cracks, gaps, stains, and other flaws in your smile, give us a call today to schedule your veneer consultation.
Dental veneers are essentially ultra-thin shells of dental porcelain. Each one is crafted to fit perfectly over the front-facing surface of a tooth. Since veneers are completely custom-made, this allows them to completely transform the size, shape, color, and overall appearance of one or more teeth. Dental porcelain is well-known for how much it looks like healthy tooth enamel, and it’s reliably strong and stain-resistant. Veneers are often used to address flaws like:
Many patients worry that correcting their dental imperfections will require several long and invasive procedures. However, dental veneers have the potential to practically erase any number of issues in just two quick and simple appointments. Once we’ve determined that veneers are a good choice for you during your consultation, we’ll remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth or teeth you’d like to enhance and take impressions.
While the impressions are sent to a lab to fabricate your veneers, we’ll send you home with a set of temporary veneers. You’ll wear these for about two weeks to “test-drive” your new smile. Before you know it, you’ll be returning to our office to have them removed and your beautiful permanent veneers will be bonded securely into place. Once we’ve made sure you’re happy with your results, you’ll be all set to go out and show off your brand-new smile!
While there are plenty of cosmetic dental treatments to choose from, it’s easy to see why veneers continue to be so popular. They offer several benefits, like:
Some patients mistakenly assume that if their teeth are covered and there’s no reason to be concerned about potential oral issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, the truth is that these ceramic shells are cemented to the fronts of your enamel, leaving the remaining surfaces exposed.
That means you can still develop tooth decay or periodontal problems, so it's essential to continue brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily. This removes plaque and bacteria known for causing common oral issues that can erode the teeth under your veneers, potentially leading to their failure.
Are you wondering whether veneers are intended to be removed and reinserted like some other treatments, such as dentures? The first set ever created was a temporary solution intended to improve a movie star’s smile for the big screen, but today, these covers aren’t meant to be taken off once they’re cemented in place.
However, they’re not always considered ‘permanent’ because they might eventually require replacement. With that said, for them to fit correctly, our team in Fort Worth must remove a small amount of enamel. This protective outer layer doesn’t regenerate, making this an irreversible change to the structure of your smile. Thankfully, these restorations are resilient enough to shield the underlying teeth from potential chips, cracks, and stains.
Some patients worry that placing veneers will alter their speech patterns, potentially making it harder for them to communicate with others. Although the covers are typically only about 0.2 to 0.5 mm thick, these shells can potentially cause a lisp or other issue when they’re new.
If you’re struggling to enunciate certain sounds, like “s”, “v”, or “th”, don’t lose hope! The effect is usually temporary and fades after a few days or weeks, as your tongue and the other supporting tissues in your mouth acclimate to their presence and dimensions. Please contact our office to let us know if the problem persists; we may be able to help by slightly thinning your veneers.
Most dental insurance policies don’t cover the cost of cosmetic services intended to enhance your appearance, such as porcelain veneers. As a result, it’s only natural to wonder if they last long enough to be worth the investment of time and personal resources required for this treatment.
Fortunately, these restorations are known for being incredibly durable and long-lasting if they’re cared for correctly. For instance, one study shared in 2012 found that, of 318 shells placed, an astonishing 95% lasted 5 years, 94% lasted 10 years, and 83% lasted at least 20 years!
