Sometimes referred to as instant orthodontics, porcelain veneers can quickly change or enhance your smile. Crooked, chipped, tetracycline-stained teeth, or simply that you dislike the shape and/or color of your teeth, are some of the reasons to consider talking with Dr. Ania about porcelain veneers. 

Why Correct Your Smile with Veneers? 

The way we dress and present ourselves are ways that people gain perceptions of us right off the bat. However, did you know your smile does that too? People that have a smile they’re proud of are more confident than those who don’t. In a study done by Invisalign, it was found there are negative judgments about people with crooked teeth. In fact, 2 in 5 Americans say they wouldn’t go on a second date with someone if they didn’t like their smile. 

The most important reason to correct your smile is for you though. A crooked smile means your teeth don’t line up properly, which means that chewing can be difficult. Additionally, it can also bring an array of problems like tooth sensitivity, premature wear of the teeth, and more. Veneers can help give you a straighter smile almost instantly, which means all of these problems can be avoided that fast too. 

What are Veneers?

As we mentioned, veneers are sometimes called ‘instant orthodontics’ because of their ability to correct your smile in as little as 2 office visits, versus months or years of braces. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of material that are made to resemble your natural teeth. These shells are then bonded to the front of your natural tooth to change their color, shape, size, or length. If you have one of these problems that WebMD mentions, you could be a good candidate for porcelain veneers:

• Discolored teeth from causes like: root canal treatment, stains from tetracycline or other medication, excessive fluoride, large resin fillings, and more. 
• Worn down teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Misaligned, misshapen, or uneven teeth
• Teeth with gaps between them

Though many patients are perfect candidates for veneers, they are not for everybody. To have cosmetic dentistry done, you need to have strong teeth and gums. If you struggle with severe gum disease and your teeth and gums aren’t in good condition, you might not be a candidate for veneers. The stronger the teeth, the longer your cosmetic dentistry treatment and veneers will last! 

The Veneers Procedure 

First Appointment: 

First, you need to make an appointment with Dr. Ania for a veneers consultation. From there, you’ll discuss your ultimate smile goals and what you want your new teeth to look like. 

From there, we have digital imaging available so you can see what your new smile looks like. Once we come up with a plan that best suits your needs, we will move onto taking impressions of our teeth. We do this so we get accurate measurements of each tooth that way they fit properly. Each veneer will be custom-made to fit your mouth, which is why the impression is an important step. After the impressions are made, they will be sent to a lab where the shells of porcelain will be created. These will then be sent back to us, and we’ll place them on at your second visit. 

Second Appointment:

Having porcelain veneers placed is an easy way to instantly transform your teeth. This process is fairly simple, however, it does require some tooth preparation. Applying these veneers usually include grinding down the tooth structure, which means sometimes removing some of the tooth even past the enamel. This ensures that the veneer is bonded in the correct place. However, this is also irreversible and can be slightly painful. In most cases, a local anesthetic is used to mask the pain. After the procedure however, recovery is easy! Once they’re bonded into place and the anesthetic wears off, most patients can begin eating and talking as normal. 

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers are made to last anywhere from 10-15 years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth. If you receive porcelain veneers, you should refrain from:

• Chewing on hard objects (like pens, ice, finger nails)
• Using your teeth to open packaging 
• Chewing with your front teeth
• Grinding or clenching your teeth at night (you’ll need a night guard if you do!)
• Not wearing a mouthguard to play sports

Get the Smile of Your Dreams Today with Dr. Ania

You don’t have to hate your smile. If you want to instantly boost your confidence and feel better about your smile, make an appointment to come talk with Dr. Ania today. Call our office at (303)-872-9940.