Veneers Specialist

What are veneers?

Veneers are paper-thin pieces of porcelain or composite resin that your Family Smile Dental provider bonds to your natural teeth. Once in place, veneers cover minor oral imperfections that won’t respond to other types of cosmetic or restorative dentistry.

It’s possible to get only one veneer, but Family Smile Dental usually recommends getting between six and eight. An even number of veneers allows for a more balanced and symmetrical smile.

What issues can veneers help treat?

Family Smile Dental uses veneers to minimize the appearance of mild aesthetic imperfections, including:

• Gaps between teeth
• Pointy teeth
• Unusually shaped teeth
• Smaller-than-average teeth
• Chipped and fractured teeth

You might also benefit from veneers if your teeth are yellow or brown and fail to respond to in-office or take-home teeth whitening treatment.

What does getting veneers involve?

At Family Smile Dental, getting veneers takes two appointments about a week apart.

First appointment

If your provider determines you qualify for veneers, they administer a local anesthetic and prepare your teeth to receive them.

To do this, your Family Smile Dental provider shaves a thin layer of enamel from each tooth. Afterward, they take impressions of your newly prepared teeth and send them to a dental laboratory. The technicians at the dental laboratory use your impressions to design and manufacture a custom set of veneers.

Second appointment

When the lab finishes your veneers, about a week later, you return to Family Smile Dental. Your provider administers a local anesthetic, lines up the veneers with your permanent teeth, and cements them in place. Afterward, they polish your veneers and provide care instructions.

How long do veneers last?

Veneers last between 12-15 years on average, but it’s possible to extend their lifespan. To do that, Family Smile Dental recommends brushing and flossing daily and visiting the office every six months for professional teeth cleaning and an oral exam.

To prevent chips or cracks in your veneers, avoid bad habits like biting your nails and opening packaging with your teeth. If you play sports or grind your teeth, consider investing in a mouthguard or a nightguard.

To learn more about the benefits of dental veneers, make an appointment at Family Smile Dental by calling the nearest office or scheduling online today.