How Do Veneers Work?

Do you have stained, chipped, or crooked teeth? Or you simply want to dazzle your friend and loved ones with a brand-new, Hollywood smile? Thanks to dental veneers, getting the smile of your dreams has never been easier!

What Are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is a thin shell made of composite resin or porcelain attached to the front surface of the natural teeth. Owing to their excellent aesthetics and durability, dental veneers have become a preferred option among dentists for correcting various cosmetic and restorative tooth defects.

Are you worried about the dental veneers procedure? Don’t worry! Getting veneers is easy and straightforward! First, your dentist will remove a thin of the tooth’s outer surface that is damaged - to create space for the attachment of your veneers. After enamel removal, your dentist will make impressions of your prepared teeth and send them to the laboratory for fabrication.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

There are two different of veneers; resins and porcelain. The veneers made from composite materials usually last for about 4-8 years, depending on the material type and quality. On the other hand, the porcelain veneers are much more durable - lasting anywhere between 10and 15 years - with proper care. The life of veneers is significantly reduced with excessive teeth grinding or eating hard or sticky foods.

Are Veneers Permanent?

Like all other dental prostheses, veneers will not last forever! No matter how strong a veneer is, it can never be as durable as the natural tooth. However, you can significantly increase the life of your veneers - up to 15 years, even more - by simply looking after them according to the instructions of your dentist. Dental veneers can also not be removed and so should be considered a permanent restoration.

Does Teeth Whitening Damage Veneers?

Dental veneers are made from high-quality and durable materials, making them highly resistant against staining and color change. At the same time, teeth whitening or bleaching will not affect your veneers’ color or shade, and it will not damage them in the process. This would also mean that if your veneers have coffee, tea, or tobacco stains, they won’t be removed with bleaching or whitening. Your dentist may polish the veneers to remove surface stains although staining of porcelain veneers is highly unlikely..

Will Whitening Strips Damage Veneers

Like professional whitening, whitening strips will only work on your existing teeth. If you use whitening strips over your natural and veneered teeth, you may end up having your existing teeth brighter than the ones that have porcelain or composite veneers. That is why you should consult your cosmetic dentist before considering at-home whitening or tooth bleaching. If you feel that your veneers have become stained, you can get them polished to reveal a bright, fresh surface, or you can get new veneers to go with your newly whitened teeth!

Can You Have Veneers With Receding Gums?

Dentists typically advise against undergoing any form of cosmetic treatment while you have underlying gum disease. Why is it necessary? Because if you get veneers while you have gum disease, your gums will continue to recede, thereby exposing the underlying tooth surface. This may not only result in tooth sensitivity but also create an aesthetic problem.

If you have gum recession, your dentist will first identify the root cause and treat it, before proceeding with your smile makeover. In case of severe gum disease, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for specialized treatment.

Teeth Veneers Pros And Cons

Despite being one of the best options for the cosmetic restoration of damaged teeth, dental veneers have some drawbacks. Let’s look at the pros and cons of dental veneers:

Pros Of Dental Veneers

• Fix Minor Cosmetic Issues - dental veneers are an excellent option for fixing many cosmetic issues, such as teeth gaps and crooked, stained, or chipped teeth. Veneers are more durable than fillings because they are prepared in the laboratory under precise and controlled conditions.
• Cosmetic Alternative to Braces - dental veneers can also be used to fix minor tooth crowding or misalignment - as a cosmetic alternative to conventional braces or aligners.
• Aesthetics and Durability - The color of veneers can be matched precisely with your natural teeth and offer lifelike aesthetics. Veneers are more aesthetically pleasant and durable than the tooth-colored composite materials used for filings.
• Minimal Preparation - Veneers require minimal preparation. Your dentist will remove a very small amount of tooth enamel from your front teeth, unlike the crowns that require extensive tooth removal from all sides.

Cons of Veneers

• High Cost - dental veneers are more costly than resin-based tooth-colored fillings.
• Irreversible Option - once your dentist has removed the tooth enamel to improve your smile with veneers, there is no going back!
• Brittleness - porcelain veneers are inherently brittle; they may fracture if you bite hard or sticky foods directly with them.
• Sensitivity - Some people may experience tooth sensitivity after getting veneers. You may feel sensitivity to cold or hot foods for a few days after getting your new smile with veneers. This tooth sensitivity should go away in a few days - and it can also be managed with anti-sensitivity toothpaste and mouth rinses.

Overall, if you’re looking for an option that not only restores your smile but also allows you to maintain optimal oral health, then veneers should be your first choice. Don’t worry about the veneer cost! While veneers are more expensive than composite fillings, they prove to be more cost-effective and durable in the longer run.

We offer a free consultation for cosmetic dentistry, so please either request a voucher for a free consultation or call 0151 286 0330 today

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Proudly welcoming patients from around the Liverpool area including Waterloo, Blundellsands, Waterloo, Formby, Thornton, Hightown & Bootle

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