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Dental Veneers: What a Dentist in Arlington, TX Has to Say
Did you know that as many as 7 out of 10 people in the United States are not happy with the appearance of their teeth? Some people are so unhappy with their teeth that they may even avoid smiling or laughing to not show them off. Of course, no one should ever feel ashamed about their smile.
If you are uncomfortable with the appearance of your teeth, a perfect option to fix the problem may be to get dental veneers. Dental veneers from your dentist in Arlington,TX are great for fixing a wide variety of dental problems, but what are veneers exactly? What should you expect if you plan to get them?
Keep reading and learn more about dental veneers, the different types, and what you might experience during the procedure.
What You Need to Know About Veneers
Dental veneers are purely cosmetic and do not have any functional purposes. This is in contrast to crowns and dental implants which look just like real teeth but also can improve dental function. For that reason, dental veneers are ideal for those who have relatively healthy teeth but do not like the appearance of their teeth.
For example, if your teeth are discolored, chipped, slightly spaced, or crooked, dental veneers would be a good option. Many people opt for dental veneers to get a perfectly white smile. This is because tooth whitening treatments often aren't enough to make your teeth perfectly white.
Natural tooth enamel usually isn't very white but instead more of a shade of gray or yellow, and even if you have your teeth professionally whitened, they will only get so white. To get a very bright white smile, you'll need to get veneers. Fortunately, there are many veneer color options to choose from as well as different shapes and sizes.
The Details
These different options are important as they will allow you to choose the veneers that best fit the shape of your face and mouth. Making the right choice will also make it easier for the veneers to look as realistic as possible. Veneers are nothing more than shell-shaped pieces of material that are designed to cover the front surfaces of your teeth.
Because they need to stick to the front of your teeth and only have an aesthetic purpose, there is no need to put veneers on your molars. Instead, your dentist will only apply them to the teeth that are visible when you smile. Once you get your veneers, your smile will immediately look much better and healthier.
The veneers will cover any tooth problems you may have such as chips, cracks, discolorations, and so on. Veneers are also a good idea for those who have very slightly crooked or spaced teeth and who don't want to deal with braces. Once you get your veneers, they should last quite a long time as long as you take good care of them.
But what should you expect if you decide to go through with the dental veneer procedure?
Understanding the Dental Veneer Procedure
Fortunately, the dental veneer is quite straightforward. However, you should be aware that getting veneers is a permanent decision. This is because to get veneers, your dentist will need to sand down the surface of your teeth using a small tool.
This is necessary because it will roughen the surface of your tooth enamel. Doing this will ensure that the veneers have a sturdy surface to which they can stick. If your teeth are too smooth, the veneers will pop or slip off more easily.
Once your dentist sands down your tooth enamel, you will never be able to grow that enamel back. As a result, your natural teeth will look quite small and unusual without the veneers. But with the veneers, they will look perfectly fine.
Because this procedure will change the shape of your real teeth, you will always need to wear veneers for the rest of your life if you want your teeth to look normal. Once your dentist sands down your teeth, he will apply the veneers using a very strong adhesive.
What You Need to Know
Once that adhesive dries, your veneers will stay firmly in place and they should last quite a long time. Different types of veneers have different lifespans. For example, porcelain veneers are known to be one of the longest-lasting and most durable veneers on the market.
However, they are also one of the most expensive. Even so, they are known to last as long as 20 years, if not longer if you take very good care of them. Another great thing about them is that they look just like real tooth enamel, so no one will be able to tell that your veneers aren't your real teeth.
An alternative to porcelain is composite resin veneers. These veneers also look quite realistic but they do not last as long as porcelain veneers. Instead, they may only last between 5 and 10 years.
The upside is that they are much more affordable and they also look quite realistic.
All About Dental Veneers
Dental veneers can be very beneficial for your teeth for a variety of reasons. They can cover up all sorts of dental problems such as chipped teeth, discolored teeth, and so on. This is not to mention that it is quite easy to get veneers since your dentist only needs to sand down your teeth and apply them.
If you are thinking about getting veneers from a dentist in Arlington Texas, contact us here.
