The Benefits and Risks of Dental Veneers: Is It Right for You?

Do you ever wonder why some people have perfect teeth throughout their adult life? It is quite common among celebrities but not limited to them. Sometimes people have beautiful smiles due to genetics and growth patterns, but it is not everyone’s story. Many people turn to cosmetic dentistry at Arlington Dental, particularly for treatments like dental veneers to improve their smiles.

What Are Dental Veneers?

They are oral appliances that repair and restore natural teeth to improve their aesthetics. Dental veneers in Toronto, ON, feature tooth-colored and tooth-shaped shell-like materials. They are commonly made of porcelain, a sturdy material that closely mimics natural teeth. Such veneers are called porcelain veneers.

However, they are not the only types available. Dental experts can present veneers of a different material called composite. Composite veneers may not be as sturdy as porcelain ones. Still, they offer a suitable alternative to patients who cannot afford porcelain veneers.

How Do Dental Veneers Work?

Dentists have employed dental veneers on several occasions to improve patients’ smiles. The primary goal is to improve the appearance. Dental veneers can achieve this goal by covering the front surfaces of teeth and masking all underlying imperfections. The procedure entails a few steps to heighten teeth’ aesthetics:

1. Local anesthesia numbs the mouth – for a pain-free process.
2. Enamel shaving – the cosmetic dentist starts trimming your tooth enamel, specifically on the front side. The agenda is to remove as much tooth enamel as necessary to create space for a dental veneer. Porcelain veneers necessitate more tooth preparation than composite veneers.
3. Dental molds – the dentist will take impressions of your prepared tooth for designing your dental veneer.
4. Installation – creating dental veneers takes about two weeks to complete in a dental laboratory. During this period, the dentist places a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it from infection before the final stage. The last step entails installing the tooth veneer, typically using dental cement. The cement attaches the dental veneer to the tooth, while a laser cures and strengthens the bond.

Why Should One Get Dental Veneers?

Many patients opt for dental veneers as a recommendation by their cosmetic dentist. The oral appliances benefit your smile in various ways, correcting dental problems like:

1. Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
2. Spaces between teeth
3. Oddly shaped teeth – concerning the length, shape, and size of natural teeth.
4. Worn down teeth
5. Severely stained teeth
6. Crooked teeth

What Are the Benefits of Getting Dental Veneers?

If you are new to dental veneers, you may need a little nudge to convince you that they are right for your smile. Some benefits to consider are:

1. Their Versatility – dental veneers are quite versatile in repairing and restoring teeth. That one oral appliance can correct multiple dental flaws on your tooth.
2. Dental veneers are natural-looking – it is hard to differentiate a dental veneer from a natural tooth. The results are much better when you select a shade that closest matches the color of your natural teeth.
3. Durability – Dental veneers can last anywhere between 7 and 15 years. Composite veneers have a shorter lifespan than porcelain ones.
4. More conservative than dental crowns – instead of preparing the whole tooth like for dental crowns, veneers are less invasive. The dentist will only trim a small portion of your tooth enamel to place a dental veneer.
5. Boosting self-confidence – one of the primary reasons patients get dental veneers is to improve their self-confidence. After getting dental veneers, you leave the dental office feeling more secure and confident about your smile.

Risks of Getting Dental Veneers

The best dentists will highlight the risks of any dental procedure before your treatment. Any dental protocol that is invasive in any way causes some risks, including the following:

1. Heightened tooth sensitivity
2. Weak tooth structure that may not properly support the entail veneer
3. An uneven bite – usually occurs during the first week after getting dental veneers. If it does not get better with time, contact your st clair west dentist immediately.
4. An unnatural smile. If your cosmetic dentist does not guide you in shade selection, you can pick dental veneers that are too white for your smile, causing it to look unnatural.