Dental veneers may be a great solution to help achieve the look you desire. They are a popular choice when you have chipped, discolored, a gap between teeth or misshaped teeth.
In this issue, we will discuss Dental Veneers and how they can enhance your smile.
Dental veneers have become popular over the years, due to increased patient demand for cosmetic dentistry. They have been the feature on popular extreme makeover shows. Most patients have heard about veneers but what are they and could you be a suitable candidate?
Veneers are thin custom-made coverings of tooth-colored material designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance.
I tend to compare them to false fingernails that are glued directly over your existing nail. The results are instant and dramatic.
They can be used on healthy teeth that are discolored, chipped, uneven, worn down or irregularly shaped. Also, they are used to close small gaps between teeth. Veneers are made very thin so that only a minimal amount of tooth structure need to be removed to create an esthetic veneer.
To determine if veneers are the best treatment option, the dentist will first need to discuss areas to improve and your expectations. Impressions of your existing teeth should be taken prior to preparing your teeth for veneers. The diagnostic models made from your existing teeth serve many functions. The dentist can improve your chipped teeth on the models by tooth-colored wax on each of the teeth. This is called a “wax-up.” The wax-up gives you a visualization of what is important to get to your desired results. Both you and your dentist can see what can be achieved and both of you have the chance to critique and adjust the wax-up as desired before you start treating the teeth themselves.
Once a treatment plan is developed, the next step is tooth preparation. Often times, limited or no dental anesthetic is needed due to minimal amounts of tooth structure that is removed. Once the dentist is satisfied with your tooth preparations, they will take a final impression. Then you should leave the office with temporary veneers. Although these won’t be as beautiful as the final restoration, they do give you the opportunity to assess the shape and length of what the final veneers could look like. Also, your temporaries can be adjusted to your desired liking and when you and your dentist are in complete agreement, a photo and a model of the adjusted temporaries are sent to the laboratory. The lab then creates your final veneers based upon those temporaries.
The next appointment will be to deliver your veneers. The “temps” will be removed and the final veneers will be placed on your teeth with a special permanent bonding agent.
Veneers are an excellent cosmetic option if you are unhappy with your smile. With veneers your teeth can be whiter, straighter and more esthetically pleasing in a few weeks. Also, with proper care and good oral hygiene they will last a very long time.
Dr. Kendal V. O. Major is Founder and CEO of Center for Specialized Dentistry which is a comprehensive family dental practice operating in Nassau and Freeport. He is the first Bahamian Specialist in gum diseases and dental implants since 1989. He also is a certified Fast braces provider. His practice is located at 89 Collins Avenue, Nassau at (242)325-5165 or [email protected].
Veneers are thin custom made that is bonded permanently on your teeth
Before and After Veneers
