The majority of dental problems people encounter can now be solved marvelously because of the quick evolution of cosmetic dentistry. The most outstanding options available today for enhancing the look and feel of your teeth include porcelain veneers. They are tiny shells affixed to the front surfaces of natural teeth to improve their appearance and feel, improve your smile, and boost your self-assurance. Veneers provide a long-lasting fix for teeth that are stained, cracked, or fractured. However, you need a correct evaluation and recommendation from a skilled cosmetic dentist to have veneers. In addition, our staff at South Coast Dentistry will guide you through the procedure until you are happy with the outcome. Book an appointment with us from Aliso Viejo today.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Almost always, having teeth that are perfect or nearly perfect makes for a gorgeous smile. People who have dental problems will not smile or enjoy life. If a person has teeth that are damaged, significantly decaying, discolored, or missing, it could affect their confidence. Dentists have been working around the clock to help you look better, smile brighter, and feel more confident.

Cosmetic dentistry aims to enhance what you already have to look better. A cosmetic dentist can swiftly replace a chipped or discolored front tooth that prevents you from smiling or enjoying life so that you can regain your appearance and confidence. Because people can see your teeth when you smile or even speak to them, the condition of your teeth is significant. If you have a dental issue, it could be difficult for you to mingle or enjoy yourself.

Dental veneers made of porcelain are how cosmetic dentists enhance people's smiles today. They are tiny shells explicitly manufactured to fit over a tooth that must be treated. They are created from porcelain or resin-composite materials that feel and look just like natural teeth. Once the placement is accomplished, you will not notice any difference from your other teeth.

Veneers are made to cover the front portion of the tooth to improve the appearance and feel of a damaged tooth. The shell forms a relationship with the native tooth, altering its length, shape, size, and color. Accordingly, depending on the specifics of your tooth issue, you can accomplish much with dental veneers.

Veneers are excellent for treating various dental problems, like cracked, chipped, undersized, or discolored teeth. If you only want to enhance the appearance and feel of one tooth, you can get a single veneer. But multiple veneers will be needed to make many teeth look better. Some people purposefully decide to have six to eight veneers placed on their front teeth to cover them and provide a straight, symmetrical smile.

The Various Types of Dental Veneers

Typically, porcelain or composite resin is used to create dental veneers. They need to be thoroughly prepared before being placed. However, the outcome is a solid and long-lasting solution that could last up to fifteen years.

The afflicted tooth's structure must be ground down, or a portion of the tooth must be removed to prepare the tooth for the installation of the veneers. The process of preparation can occasionally extend past the enamel. It enables the veneer to be installed properly. Dental patients must be sure before beginning the procedure because the entire operation is permanent. Additionally, the process could be uncomfortable, necessitating the use of local anesthetic to keep you at ease.

The dental issue and the state of your tooth before placement are the key determinants of the tooth preparation procedure. Additionally, it could be influenced by the number of teeth that need veneers. Your dentists could offer a wax model if multiple teeth require treatment to show you how the placements will function following the procedure. The most typical kinds of dental veneers in use today are listed below:

Porcelain Veneers

These dental veneers are the most popular ones. Your dentist will first want you to grind your teeth to prepare them for installation. To generate the mold needed to build your veneers, your dentist will also take an impression of your teeth.

After the veneers are completed, you will need to return to the dentist's office to have them fitted onto your already-prepared teeth. Your dentist will use cement to secure them. In the meantime, until your permanent veneers are prepared, you can be given temporary ones. The temporary veneers will guard against harm to your already-prepared teeth.

Composite Resin Dental Veneers

The composition and treatment are different; otherwise, they function similarly to porcelain veneers. If you decide on composite resin dental veneers, your dentist will first etch the surface of your chipped tooth before adding a thin coating of composite material to the tooth. You would need to add more composite layers to acquire the desired effect. After installation, your dentist will finish the procedure by utilizing a specialized blue light to cure the composite veneer.

No-Prep Dental Veneers

You can get these dental veneers for your teeth without having them cleaned or prepared first. Veneers and Lumineers are two examples. They are simple to prepare and quick to apply, and the procedure is less intrusive.

No-prep dental veneers merely affect your enamel. They do not require removing layers of the damaged tooth, sometimes even beyond the enamel. Since its application is usually painless, it rarely necessitates local anesthesia.

Additionally, temporary veneers are only required once your permanent ones are prepared.

Dental Problems You Can Fix With Porcelain Veneers

You can wear dental veneers to fix a wide range of dental issues, including the following:

Tooth Discoloration

For example, stains from specific foods and drinks (like tea and coffee), smoking, too much fluoride, medicines (like tetracycline), big dental fillings, and root canal therapy can cause your teeth to lose their natural color and luster. Your happiness, smile, and confidence could be taken away by a tooth discoloration issue. If left untreated for a long time, discoloration could weaken your teeth and spread to other teeth. However, your dentist can restore your attractive smile by covering the damaged teeth with porcelain veneers to restore their appearance and gloss. Your dentist will treat the underlying issue if the impacted tooth has one.

Worn Down Teeth

Your teeth could deteriorate for one of two reasons. Loss of teeth or erosion brought on by contact with acidic chemicals could be the first. Your body can produce the acid, or it could come from the foods and beverages you ingest. Because they are so acidic, several fruits and soft drinks can harm your teeth if you consume them frequently. Another possibility for tooth deterioration is clenching or grinding. Some people clench, grind, or bite their teeth uncontrollably due to a disease called bruxism. Worn-down teeth are weak and dysfunctional. Your dentist could suggest veneers to improve how they feel, look, and function.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

In an accident or as a result of destructive behaviors like biting or chewing on hard foods or substances, your teeth can break or chip. Broken teeth do not function, appear, or feel natural. They could develop extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks. Your mouth's soft tissues will also be torn by chipped teeth, resulting in aching tissues that can develop into inflammation. Veneers are ideal for repairing cracked or fractured teeth. Covering the damaged teeth gives them a fresh appearance, feel, and strength. Your treated teeth will look natural, thanks to porcelain veneers.

Misaligned, Irregular, or Uneven Teeth

Uneven, crooked, and misaligned teeth will make it difficult for you to smile with confidence. They can also cause periodontitis and other dental health issues, including sore joints, by altering your bite. You require assistance in straightening your teeth and regaining your stunning smile. However, porcelain veneers are only effective in cases with a single rotated or misaligned tooth, minor overcrowding, or small voids or gaps between teeth. In severe situations of irregular, crooked, or uneven teeth, your dentist can first address the underlying issue before enhancing the appearance of the treated teeth with porcelain veneers.

Gaps Between Teeth

Teeth gaps provide a favorable environment for bacterial development. In these spaces, food particles are typically trapped. When you brush or floss, some gaps are challenging to reach. Food fragments lodged in these spaces encourage the growth of bacteria, which could harm your dental health and general health. Utilizing porcelain veneers, spaces and gaps between teeth can be filled. Your dentist can use veneers to enlarge certain teeth if they are smaller than they should be and cover wide spaces between them. Their increased space will fill in all the gaps, giving your teeth an even appearance and a perfect grin.

Preparing for the Placement of Porcelain Veneers

The first initial visit to the dentist is the beginning of all dental procedures. You could go for a routine dental checkup or because you are experiencing discomfort, pain, or swelling. Some people go to the dentist when they see their smile is not as attractive as they would want. For example, if your front teeth are stained, chipped, or damaged, you cannot smile as widely and boldly as you once could. Your dentist will check your teeth, gums, and jawbone at your initial visit to ensure your oral health is in good shape.

Your dentist will be the first person you talk to if your teeth's appearance is your biggest concern. Depending on the underlying issue, your dentist ought to be able to suggest different courses of therapy. They will describe what porcelain veneers are, how they function, their advantages and disadvantages, and the associated costs when recommending them. They will also encourage you to ask questions about veneers so you have all the information you need to make an informed choice.

Your dentist will take care of any underlying issues that need to be addressed before placing veneers if you have any. For example, they can advise using braces to straighten your teeth before applying veneers to give them the correct appearance if your teeth are excessively misaligned, uneven, or irregular.

To assess the condition of your teeth before recommending a course of treatment, your dentist can also take an X-ray. They will look for tooth decay, gum disease, and whether any of your teeth need root canal therapy. Dental veneers will not be applied if you have any significant illnesses until you fully recover.

For the second appointment, you will return to the dentist's office so they can prepare your stained teeth for veneer placement. Porcelain veneer placement involves carefully prepping the tooth where the veneer will be affixed. Your dentist will accomplish this by shaving off some of your tooth's enamel. After that, they will make an impression or cast off the teeth that are damaged and send it to a dental lab. That mold will be used to create the veneers.

Placement of Porcelain Veneers

At your second appointment, which should take one to two weeks from then on, your dentist will construct veneers using the mold or impression they took of your impacted teeth. You will receive temporary veneers to protect your already-prepared teeth during this time. Once the permanent veneers are prepared, your dentist will contact you to schedule a third appointment to bond them to your prepared teeth. They will ensure that the veneers' fit, color, and form are perfect for you before applying them.

If the veneers fail to match your teeth, your dentist will send them back to the lab so they can be adjusted. On the other hand, they will be attached to your teeth if they fit perfectly. Remember that porcelain veneers permanently adhere to your teeth. Your dentist must ensure they are your best option before putting them on.

When you are ready for the installation, the dentist will first brush your teeth. Dental cleaning is essential because it removes microorganisms that could otherwise get stuck under veneers, leading to gum disease and tooth damage. Your dentist will use a grinding tool to give each tooth that requires a veneer a rough texture after cleaning. The abrasive roughness of the veneer makes it relatively easy to adhere to your teeth.

Finally, your dentist will fuse each veneer to each tooth using cement. The cement will then be swiftly dried and hardened using ultraviolet light.

It does not take too long to go through this last appointment (at least two hours). However, that could vary on how many veneers you require and whether you were given local anesthesia.

Caring for Your Veneers After Placement

Following the insertion of porcelain veneers, recovery time is short. You should be able to chew, eat, drink, and usually speak after the anesthesia wears off and the veneers are bonded to your teeth. You immediately experience a fresher appearance. You could find that following application, your veneers feel scratchy. The additional cement is typically what causes the rough patches. After a few days of brushing your teeth and eating, it will wear out. After a week, if the roughness still exists, you could have your dentist smooth it out.

If you take appropriate care of your porcelain veneers, they can last up to ten years or even twenty. To ensure that your placements last longer, you must take care. You could take the following actions to protect your veneers:

  • Avoiding chewing on hard items like fingernails, and other harsh objects
  • Refrain from using your teeth to open packages
  • Avoid utilizing your front teeth when chewing; if you must, use your rear teeth solely. Otherwise, cut back on the amount of hard foods you eat.
  • Give up bad habits like clenching, grinding, or biting your teeth, which can harm your veneers. Wear a retainer or splint to safeguard your veneers if you grind your teeth excessively.
  • Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports.
  • Have your dentist periodically check your veneers to ensure they are functioning correctly for you.

Factors at Risk for Porcelain Veneers

Understanding some of the risks associated with porcelain veneer application is helpful. These are the most typical of them:

  • The application of porcelain veneers is irreversible and permanent.
  • The more veneers you need, the more expensive the procedure becomes.
  • If your veneers crack or chip, your dentist cannot fix them.
  • Cold or hot meals and beverages can cause your teeth to become extremely sensitive. Before installing the veneer, the enamel must be removed as part of the preparatory process.
  • Even after a veneer is applied, tooth decay could still affect your treated teeth.
  • If you have bruxism, veneers are not appropriate for you.
  • They are inappropriate for those with untreated dental conditions like decaying teeth, weakening teeth, and gum disease.

Find a Competent Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

Porcelain veneers are a great way to fix dental problems like tooth stains, chips, and breaks. Thanks to this permanent dental treatment, you can regain your smile and confidence with them. To enhance the appearance of your teeth after treatments like root canals, they are also utilized. So, if a dental issue has affected your smile, you could discuss having veneers with a qualified cosmetic dentist. Before applying veneers, a knowledgeable dentist will ensure you comprehend what they are, how they function, and the application procedure. At South Coast Dentistry, we also discuss the advantages and disadvantages, pricing, and how to take care of your veneers. For more information about veneers in Aliso Viejo, call us at 949-274-9086.