If you’re considering having dental work done and finding all the options confusing, you may be wondering whether or not veneers are for you. Here are answers to your questions.
- What exactly are veneers?
Veneers, made of ceramic, are slender pieces of material that are shaped to look like natural teeth. They are bonded into place to alter the appearance of a tooth. You can use dental veneers on the Gold Coast to make your teeth look straighter and whiter, or to correct a tooth that may be different from the rest. Also, veneers are great for closing gaps or spaces between your teeth or as an instant solution to straighten crooked teeth. It is a long-lasting treatment that can change your smile significantly.
- When are veneers a good idea?
If you have one or more teeth that are darker than the rest, or even gaps between teeth, veneers are a quick and durable way to change your smile. If you have teeth that aren’t the same size, or you have old fillings, veneers are also a good choice. They’re also a fantastic alternative to braces. Crowded teeth, broken teeth, and skew teeth can all be fixed with the help of veneers and without the need for traditional orthodontics.
- What is the process involved with getting veneers?
When you do decide to get veneers, you will meet with the dentist and together you will discuss your preferences and goals, and how you want your new smile to look. An Orthodontist (Ortodoncista in Spanish) can address any concerns or questions you might have, and discuss the details of the procedure, your smile design, and the colour you prefer. You can also use the consultation to browse the dentist’s before and after photos of patients who have enhanced their smiles with veneers.
At your next appointment, your teeth will be smoothed and minimised by around a millimetre. You will also be given a local anaesthetic. The appointment takes around two hours. During this time, a temporary veneer will be made which will protect your teeth while your new ceramic veneers are being designed.
At the third appointment, you will get to try your new veneers to make sure they look natural and create the smile you had in mind. Once the fit is confirmed, your teeth will be cleaned and the veneers will be cemented in place with a laser light to harden the bonding. The dentist may require you to return in two weeks for a follow up appointment to check your bite, talk about homecare and take a photo of your new smile.
- How long do veneers last?
Veneers are a durable and long lasting way to improve your smile. On average, veneers last about 10 years or more. One big benefit of having veneers is that the colour of the porcelain will not stain, so your smile’s colour will be the same the entire time. If the veneers need to be replaced for some reason, the procedure is similar both in cost and time to when you originally had them put in.
Once you’ve decided on having veneers, consult your dentist for further information.