Veneers Before and After: What to Expect
These aren't like popping in a set of dentures and being on your way. Porcelain veneers involve measuring your teeth need for filling before fitting over your teeth. Plus, not everyone is a good candidate for them.
Oftentimes, veneers aren't even the best solution for most people. Depending on the condition of your teeth, you may be better off getting dental implants or a simple pair of braces. Never rush into something because you are impatient, especially when it comes to something permanent like veneers.
Customize Your Veneers Before and After
When you research porcelain veneers in NY, you get to design your own smile. You can change the thickness, shape of your bite, and overall shape so that it fits your smile. This is very important if you want to avoid the dreaded veneer overbite, aka horsey bite.
You Get to Test Them Out
Once you've customized your idea smile, you'll get fitted with temporary molds to try out. These temporary veneers look like the real ones and they're applied with a temporary adhesive. You will wear them for only two or three days to see how they feel in your mouth.
If all is well, the real ones will get made and you will have them implanted as soon as the dentist has them. If you need adjustments, your dentist will go over them with you before the final mold gets made.
Don't Fear the Drill
Applying veneers will involve some minor discomfort, but not what you'd associate with drilling for cavities. For those with sensitive teeth, you'll get a local anesthetic prescribed. If that doesn't work, you can opt for nitrous oxide or valium. Some sensitivity and inflammation will be present after the procedure, too.
You should be able to finally show off your smile in 3-4 days.
They Last for a Long Time
Despite the permanence of porcelain veneers, they are made to last only 20 years with standard oral hygiene practices. The porcelain itself is as strong as enamel, but it cannot repair years of gradual wear like real teeth. This is something most people take for granted with real teeth.
Discoloration can occur, too, if the gums recede and your real teeth become stained.
Your Price May Vary
Dental veneers are normally very expensive and are not covered by standard insurance. It's a cosmetic procedure, barring specific purposes, such as the treatment of gum disease. There are also two main types of veneers, composite and porcelain.
Composite veneers are semi-permanent solutions. These use a special composite resin that gets molded to your real teeth. The whole procedure occurs the same day and can cost less than a third of porcelain veneers. The drawback here is that they only last five to seven years.
Porcelain veneers need at least two dental procedures and they resist stains better. They also have the most authentic look of the two types. Unlike porcelain, though, composite veneers don't need tooth filing to fit. They are thinner, so only minimal sanding is necessary.
Deciding which type of veneer will benefit your dental situation with the help of a dentist's expertise. They can determine which procedure is best for your budget and your health.
Dental Veneers Expectations
Before deciding on any major dental procedure like veneers, you want your teeth to have clean bill of health. Your dentist will take x-rays and verify no cavities are present. This is important as you will be applying a permanent seal over your teeth.
Once you get the 'green light' your dentist will shave the surface of the tooth by half a millimeter to fit the veneers. They will then take a mold of your teeth and have it sent to porcelain veneer fabricators.
Once your dentist receives the mold, they will scrutinize the shape, color, and size. If they fit good, then your teeth get cleaned and texturized. The surface needs to be rough for the veneers to grip your teeth.
Dental cement is then applied and focused ultraviolet light dries it and hardens it fast. You will be able to walk out after the procedure and return to eating solid foods in a few days. You'll have a follow-up a few weeks later to verify that everything looks aligned and holding.
Find Your Smile
We hope this guide has inspired you to look at veneers before and after pictures. Get a good idea as to the type of smile that you want to have. Getting veneers is a big investment, so don't be afraid to be too picky or specific. Your smile is a reflection of your personality.
Finally, the best part about having veneers, you won't have to do any special care routines. Always brush and floss twice a day. Don't take it for granted that they aren't made of bone and thus impervious to dental hygiene problems.
If you're interested in learning more about getting veneers for your teeth, don't hesitate to contact us. We can set you up with an appointment and help you find your perfect smile solution.