Veneers are made of thin pieces of porcelain that mimic the look of real teeth. They are used to cover front teeth that show signs of flaws and imperfections. Most veneers can last for about 10 years before replacement is needed. Veneers can cover gaps, spaces, discoloration, stains, chips and cracks in front teeth.
You might want veneers because you are not satisfied with your smile. Veneers may be the solution for you if you are looking to improve your smile. They are thin, custom-made and require very little drilling to place perfectly over the front teeth.
Most patients who want veneers can have the procedure done easily in our office. We first examine your teeth to make sure that they are otherwise healthy enough to have veneers placed over them. If the front teeth are decayed or if you have gum disease, we may suggest other treatments before being fitted for new veneers. Veneers are best suited for adult patients wanting to makeover their smiles.
We begin by buffing down the front teeth to make room for the new veneers. We then take impressions to use to make the actual restorations. Your second visit to the office involves placing the permanent veneers. These veneers are carefully placed over each front tooth so that they look completely natural. Most patients will not need any type of anesthetic to have veneers placed, though it may be used during your initial appointment. You can expect your new veneers to last for about 10 years before you should replace them. You can treat them similarly to all of your other natural teeth, but you should take care when flossing around them.