The average American laughs 8 times a day.
In hard times, laughter can improve our moods and help us bond with others. But what if you’re self-conscious about your smile?
More than half of Americans deal with insecurities about their teeth. This can lead to covering your mouth when you laugh or only smiling with a closed mouth.
If this sounds like you, there is hope.
With dental veneers, your dentist can create your dream smile. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of dental veneers and how they can change your life.
What Are Dental Veneers?
If you still have natural teeth but are looking to improve their appearance, dental veneers might be right for you.
Dental veneers are essentially shells made of porcelain or resin that are attached to the front of your own teeth. The material used is thin and colored to resemble natural teeth.
Veneers can fix cosmetic concerns and improve the appearance of your teeth. Common examples of concerns treated with veneers include:
- Chipped teeth
- Broken teeth
- Discoloration
- Teeth that are too small
Veneers can be applied to a single tooth or to multiple teeth, depending on your needs. If you have a single tooth that is chipped or broken, you may only need one veneer. But many people get veneers across the top of their front teeth.
Most commonly, six to eight veneers are used to create the perfect smile.
Types of Dental Veneers
There are a few different options when it comes to types of dental veneers. Most veneers are made of porcelain or composite resin. However, preparing them takes a lot of work.
Traditional veneers like those made of resin or porcelain require grinding down or removing some of your natural tooth, sometimes even through the enamel. While this allows for optimal placement of the veneer, it can be an uncomfortable procedure that requires a local anesthetic.
The part of your tooth that is removed will be gone forever. But there’s no need to panic. If your dentist decides that tooth reduction is the best choice for your smile, they can order a wax model that will show you how veneers will look on your teeth.
If you decide not to go the traditional route, you can opt for no-prep veneers. These still may require some preparations but the alteration to your tooth will be minimal.
Now, let’s take a look at the different types of dental veneers in more detail.
Porcelain
If you opt for porcelain veneers, your dentist may start by grinding down your teeth and making an impression of your smile to create a mold. This mold will then be sent to a lab where the porcelain veneer is made. While you wait for the veneer to be made, your dentist may offer you a temporary veneer.
Once the permanent veneers come back from the lab, your dentist will place them on the teeth that were previously prepared and cement them in place.
Some dentists have the technology to create veneers right there in the office. This can be done using CAD/CAM technology.
Composite Resin Veneers
You may also consider composite resin veneers. This type of veneer is also referred to as dental bonding.
With this type of dental veneer, your dentist will prepare your teeth and apply a thin layer of the material. It may take multiple layers of composite material to achieve your desired look.
After application, your dentist will cure and harden the veneer with a special light.
No-Prep Veneers
While porcelain and composite veneers are common and traditional types of veneers, there is another option.
No-prep veneers are made by specific brands such as Vivaneers or Lumineers. This type of dental veneer is easier to apply and requires the least preparation.
It isn’t necessary to remove layers of the natural teeth underneath the enamel. No-prep veneers only affect the enamel of the natural tooth. If you go this route, you usually won’t need temporary veneers or local anesthetics.
Choosing the Best Veneers
The best dental veneers for your case depend on a number of factors including:
- How much you’re willing to spend
- How long they take to install
- How you want them to look
- How long you want them to last
- What your dentist recommends
If you’re looking for longevity and durability, you can’t go wrong with porcelain veneers. While this type of dental veneer requires more investment upfront, your smile will last longer and be less susceptible to stains and other damage.
If you’re looking for a minimally invasive option or less intensive correction, you might choose composite resin or dental bonding.
Getting Dental Veneers
What should you expect throughout the process of getting dental veneers? At Webster Family Dental, we offer porcelain veneers and dental bonding that can be placed easily and quickly.
If you choose porcelain veneers, you can expect your dentist to lightly buff the area of your teeth that will be covered by veneers. We will then make an impression of your teeth so that our local lab can create the smile of your dreams.
Our porcelain veneer process ensures that your new smile will stand up to the test of time. You can expect your veneers to last at least a decade if you keep up with proper care and dental hygiene.
If you choose dental bonding, you can expect an even easier process. Dental bonding can be done quickly in the office and required no waiting period.
Are You Ready for a New Smile?
If you’re one of the many Americans who aren’t happy with your smile, we can help!
Life is too short not to laugh and enjoy yourself. If you find yourself smiling with your mouth closed or covering your teeth because you aren’t confident in your smile, we are here to change that.
We use custom dental veneers and dental bonding to create the smile of your dreams. With your new veneers, you can feel confident to smile bigger and laugh harder.
Click here to contact us today to learn more about whether dental veneers are right for you or request an appointment.