Dental Veneers Are a Gift You Give Yourself This Holiday Season

If you want to improve your smile, dental veneers are an excellent way to do so.  As the holidays and New Year approach, consider giving yourself the gift of a new smile.  Most adults have something that they don’t like about their teeth.  Whether it’s crooked teeth that were never treated with braces or dark stains from years of drinking coffee, we can help. Start by scheduling an appointment so that we can examine your teeth and discuss what you don’t like about your smile. If you have any cavities or infections, we will want to treat them first before moving on to cosmetic issues.  Typically the first thing we recommend is to whiten your teeth.  This way your smile will look bright and beautiful and the veneers can be made to match white teeth instead of yellow ones. Dental veneers can correct a variety of problems because they are placed on top of your natural teeth and become the new front or surface of them.  Your natural teeth remain in place, making this an excellent option for people that want to avoid oral surgery.  A veneer is created in a dental lab and is a thin shell that is made out of porcelain or ceramic.  Even though it is thin, a veneer can cover the darkest of stains and do things like close gaps and restore teeth that have been cracked. Here is how the process works:

1. An impression is taken of your mouth so that the dental lab can create your veneers.
2. Your teeth are prepared by having around a millimeter of enamel removed from their surface.
3. Temporary veneers are attached using removable glue.
4. After your permanent set is ready, your temporaries will be removed.
5. The permanent veneers will be loosely attached so you can see how they look, and we can make any necessary adjustments.
6. The permanent ones are bonded to your teeth for a permanent and beautiful smile.

This takes around two weeks to complete so if you want your smile to be improved before the holidays, schedule an appointment right away. During the procedure, we will use sedation dentistry to ensure that you remain comfortable the entire time.  It is normal for your teeth to feel sensitive while wearing the temporaries, so we recommend eating soft foods and brushing gently.  You can also take oral pain relief if necessary.  After the permanent ones have been placed, your teeth may feel sensitive for a few days but that will pass quickly. Dental veneers are a beautiful and durable solution for improving your smile. Once they are secure, you can go back to eating all of your favorite foods. The one thing you do need to avoid is eating anything that isn’t edible.  For example, don’t chew on a pencil since it can cause your veneers to pop off. If you grind your teeth at night, you will also need to wear a guard in order to protect them. If you don’t like your smile, schedule a consultation and give yourself a gift that will last for years to come.