For some of us, our teeth may not be a favorite characteristic. Maybe they’re too yellow or an odd shape, or maybe they don’t look how we want them to. That’s where veneers come in. These are a thin bit of porcelain that is permanently bonded to your individual teeth. By adding them, they mask the tooth color, position of your smile, and the shape. But do you need veneers? And what is the process like?

First of all, anybody can benefit from applying veneers if you don’t like the overall look of your smile. For some, going through this procedure gives them an overall sense of confidence with a healthy looking smile that will last for years to come. Everyone has a different mouth, teeth, and smiles so it’s important for a dentist to make a look that works specifically for you!

Veneers aren’t there to make your teeth look perfect; they are there to enhance your smile. Once veneers are put on, the last thing you want someone to say is “Wow did you do something to your teeth?” Veneers are added to bring out the character in your smile without a fake look to them. Confusion also stems from wondering if all your teeth need veneers or not. The answer is no! Some individuals choose to do one tooth if it has sustained a chip and some prefer their entire smile to have a little work done. It’s up to each person.

Once you decide if you’re ready for this procedure, the real fun begins! First, temporary versions are made out of a liquid composite. These will be fitted so you can decide whether or not you’d like to move forward. When you commit, molds, x-rays, and photos are taken before you head into prep. Don’t worry, prep sounds a lot more intimidating than it is. Prep is shaving just a bit off the top layer of your teeth for the veneers to have something to adhere to. Bonding cement is used to place the porcelain slivers on your teeth, and for ten teeth it takes approximately an hour.

After the process, you’ll need a couple check ups to make sure the veneers are doing what they need to do. Your gums may be sore and you may experience some slight discomfort, but your dentist will know exactly what you need to make the transition smooth. If you’re considering adjusting your smile, talk with us about the possibility of veneers. We’d love to walk through the process with you.