VENEERS

Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are placed over the front surface of a tooth to improve its appearance. They are custom-made to match the color, size, and shape of the surrounding teeth, and are bonded to the tooth with a strong adhesive.

Veneers can be used to improve the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, chipped, cracked, or misshapen. They can also be used to close gaps between teeth, and to make teeth appear straighter and more symmetrical.

The process of getting veneers usually requires two appointments with a dentist. During the first appointment, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface. An impression of the tooth will then be taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where the veneer will be custom-made. In the meantime, the patient will wear a temporary veneer.

During the second appointment, the temporary veneer will be removed, and the permanent veneer will be bonded to the tooth with a strong adhesive. The dentist will then make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the veneer fits properly and looks natural.

Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option because they are durable, natural-looking, and require minimal tooth preparation. However, they are not suitable for everyone, and a consultation is necessary to determine if they are a good option for a particular individual.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing veneers:

1. They are permanenet. Despite claims of veneers being reversible and causing no damage to natural teeth, this simply isn't accurate. Veneer preparation does file away the natural tooth, changing its appearance permantly.

2. On average, they last about 10 years, some less, some more. But overall plan to have them replaced at least once in your lifetime.

3. Resin veneers can change color over time, yellowing as they age. For this reason, at Sandy Dental we only offer porcelain veneers.

4. They're high-maintenance, as they require optimal oral hygiene and vigilance to prevent decay of the natural teeth.