Are You Thinking About Getting Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers. We’ve been seeing them everywhere lately!

From Tom Cruise to reality TV stars, veneers are gaining popularity! If done well, you’ll have a Hollywood smile in no time but if they’re done badly, you could end up looking more like a racehorse than a Hollywood starlet.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic that are attached to the front surfaces of teeth for an immediate smile transformation. They’re individually crafted for each patient and are made from advanced material that closely resembles the appearance of natural dental enamel. Dentists can use veneers for an impressive number of cosmetic corrections, ranging from teeth whitening to orthodontic adjustments. Thanks to their lifelike appearance and wide array of functions, porcelain veneers rank among the most trusted and popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry.

Where did they come from?

Although it’s only been over the past years that dental veneers have shot up in popularity, they’ve been around for a while! Since the late 1920s to be exact! Dr Charles Pincus, a famed Hollywood dentist, conceived of veneers as a way to enhance actors’ and actresses’ on screen smiles. However, they were only temporary. Pincus couldn’t find a way to get the veneers to fully attach to the teeth.

In the 60s Dr. Michael Bunocore used modern methods to create a more adhesive surface for the tooth. He lightly etched teeth with a mild acidic solution. He created a stronger bonding surface for dental sealants and restorations. J.R. Calamia and R.J. Simonsen then implemented Bunocore’s method in 1982 to apply porcelain dental veneers. This allowed them to finally create permanent versions of that lusted after Hollywood smile. They have advanced a lot since then, becoming more natural and more convenient.

When would I get a veneer?

Dental veneers are a cosmetic procedure. Therefore, they improve the look of the teeth alone. They can improve the colour, shape and position of your teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured tooth or to lighten your front teeth. A veneer can make a chipped tooth look whole again. The porcelain covers the whole of the front of the tooth, with a thicker section replacing the broken part. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others. If you have a lot of crooked teeth, you can get a full set of veneers to have an absolutely perfect smile!

Am I eligible?

The only way a patient can fully determine his or her candidacy for veneers is by scheduling an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist. After evaluating health history, current dental health, and the condition of a patient’s enamel, a dentist can make an informed decision regarding a patient’s suitability for this treatment. Usually patients with great oral health and hygiene with healthy enamel and specific cosmetic goals are ideal patients.

How much do they cost and how long do they last?

Veneers should last for many years; but they can chip or break, just like your own teeth can. Your dental team will tell you how long each veneer should last. Small chips can be repaired, or a new veneer fitted if necessary. The costs for this treatment can vary from practice to practice so it is important to discuss charges and treatment options with your dental team before starting treatment. They can cost anywhere from several hundreds to several thousands. Be sure it is something you can afford before undertaking treatment.

We hope this helped you if you are thinking of getting veneers! If you have any more questions, let us know in the comments below!

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