Veneers help you smile confidently.
Though many seemingly intuitive communications with our bodies, such as shrugging, nodding, and shaking our heads, have diverse meanings in different parts of the world, smiling is universal. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, however, a reaction as natural and intuitive as a smile can seem daunting. Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry can provide a range of solutions to improve your smile, helping to boost your confidence and make your smile feel natural again.
Veneers are a versatile treatment that can close gaps in your teeth and remedy a wide variety of other cosmetic issues. They can repair uneven, stained, slightly crooked, rough, or chipped teeth. Unfortunately, there are still quite a few myths about veneers circulating around the internet. This can make it difficult for you to decide whether veneers are right for you. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll set the record straight on 5 myths about veneers.
1. Veneers are only used for aesthetics.
While dental veneers are often used to remedy cosmetic issues with teeth, they can actually help protect and restore your oral health. Since they’re placed on top of your natural teeth, they can act like a shield and help protect weak teeth from damage, such as chipping or breaking. Additionally, if your teeth are suffering from enamel erosion, veneers can prevent further damage to your enamel. The added protection also reduces the sensitivity of your teeth, making you more comfortable on a daily basis.
2. Dental veneers don’t look like real teeth.
It’s natural to be concerned that your veneers won’t look like real teeth, but don’t worry—no one will be able to tell that you have veneers! Each veneer is designed specifically for you. The porcelain they are milled from mimics the gloss of natural teeth perfectly. Additionally, your dentist uses an iTero or CEREC digital scanner to create a 3D digital model of your teeth. This process is as simple as passing a wand, which is about the size of an electric toothbrush, over your teeth. This cutting-edge technology produces a much more accurate image of your teeth than traditional putty molds.
This allows your dentist to create veneers that fit perfectly, which helps them look and feel more natural. You’re also able to work with your dentist to choose the size, shape, and shade of your porcelain veneers. The end result will be a veneer that looks exactly like the tooth you’re repairing and blends perfectly into your existing smile. Veneers can also revitalize your entire smile by giving it a new appearance. Either way, this technology helps you design veneers that will look like the teeth you’ve always had!
3. You can remove your veneers if you don’t like them.
Since placing veneers does require your dentist to remove a small layer of enamel from your teeth, veneers are permanent. Once you commit to them, you’ll always need them. If you really hate your new veneers, you can’t remove them without replacing them with a different set of veneers or a crown, which can get expensive. This is why it’s so important to make an informed decision about getting veneers. Make sure you find a skilled dentist you trust to listen to your wishes and create beautiful veneers you know you’ll love.
4. It’s painful to receive veneers.
Although placing veneers does involve shaving off a very small amount of enamel, the procedure doesn’t hurt. This is partially because it’s so minor. Your dentist will also numb your teeth before beginning to ensure you don’t experience any discomfort. Your teeth might be a little sore once the numbing wears off, but the tenderness should be very mild and will likely only last one or two days.
5. It’s easy to break or stain dental veneers.
When you hear that veneers are made of porcelain, you might think of breakable porcelain vases and assume that veneers are very easy to break or stain. Thankfully, porcelain veneers are actually really durable and stain-resistant. They’re even more stain-resistant than your natural teeth. They can also stand up against all the daily wear and tear your natural teeth can. But you need to be aware that they do have their limits. Even if you don’t have veneers, you should avoid opening packages with your teeth and try to curb habits like teeth grinding because this can damage your natural teeth. Similarly, these habits can cause your veneers to crack, chip, or break. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you’ll likely need to commit to wearing a night guard when sleeping to protect your veneers.
Whether you’re hoping to protect vulnerable teeth from damage, reduce tooth sensitivity, or revitalize your smile, dental veneers are a versatile and long-lasting treatment that can solve a wide range of issues for most people. Are you interested in learning more about veneers and whether they’re right for you? Do you want to learn more about all of your treatment options? Feel free to call our office to schedule a consultation at any time.
