Have you ever seen a celebrity or influencer suddenly go from an okay smile to a megawatt grin, seemingly overnight? In many cases, this is due to a treatment called veneers. These thin, porcelain shells fit over your existing, healthy teeth to improve their shape, size, spacing and even their shade, all in one convenient, long-lasting procedure. But before you get comfy in the dental chair, be sure you know all the facts about these dynamic dental enhancements!
The Veneers Process
Veneers are extremely versatile prosthetics that can completely transform the appearance of your smile in about two visits to your dentist. In fact, they can make such a big difference, over the years they’ve earned the nickname “instant orthodontics.”
To get veneers, you first need to visit your dentist for a cosmetic dentistry consultation. At this appointment, she will examine the condition of your smile to ensure that you have no untreated oral health problems. If you do, those will need to be addressed first. If not, your treatment can advance to the next step.
Next, your dentist will need to reshape your teeth to fit your new veneers. This means she’ll need to remove a small amount of enamel from each tooth. Because it won’t grow back, this is considered irreversible and going forward you’ll either need a veneer or a crown on every reshaped tooth. Then, she’ll take impressions of the teeth which will be sent to a dental laboratory used to create your new smile!
While you wait for your new prosthetics to be customized at the lab, you’ll wear temporary veneers, which will give you a preview of your new smile and help protect your reshaped teeth in the meantime.
Once your new veneers are ready, you’ll return to your dentist’s office and have the temporary veneers removed and your permanent ones placed. Once attached, your dazzling new smile should last for years. In fact, some patients go decades without needing to update them! Not bad for a treatment that typically takes about two weeks from start to finish!
Things to Consider
Now that you know how fast and easy it is to get veneers, it’s important to understand a few important considerations about them before you sign on the dotted line.
They Won’t Last Forever
Although your new veneers are durable and lifelike, they will eventually need to be replaced. While they are easy to care for with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits, they will likely need to be redone in 15 to 20 years.
They Can’t Be Undone
As mentioned before, because enamel must be permanently removed from some teeth, this treatment is irreversible, meaning you’ll always need to protect your smile with either veneers or dental crowns going forward.
You May Experience Sensitivity
One of the most important functions of the enamel is to protect your teeth from sensitivity. Naturally, when your dentist removes some during veneers treatment, they can be vulnerable to hot, cold, and anything excessively sweet or acidic. While the temporary veneers will help lessen some of it, please be aware that you may still experience some mild discomfort until your permanent ones are attached. The good news is that once they’ve been placed, this should go away on its own, but if it doesn’t, let your dentist know.
Remember, while veneers are a fast, easy way to ‘instantly’ transform your smile, it’s important to know all the facts about them before you get started. This way, the only surprise you’ll encounter is just how much you love your gorgeous new grin!
About Dr. Parét
Dr. Katherine Parét earned her dental degree at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and since graduating has broadened her focus on many areas of oral health including digital dentistry, dental implants, and esthetics. She is a proud, active member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Maine Dental Association. If you’d like to learn more about how veneers can change your smile and your life, schedule a consultation at Mind Your Mouth by visiting our website or calling us at 207-200-4106.