What to Know When Getting Dental Veneers

Dentist Blog

Patients who are wanting to enhance their smile will likely want to review a variety of cosmetic procedures. Veneers can provide one of the most effective and fastest ways of dramatically remaking your smile, but you may want to be aware of some key points about veneers.

Veneers Require Structural Changes to Your Teeth

In order for the veneers to be applied to the teeth, a small amount of the enamel will have to be removed. This removal is done to create enough space for the veneer to be applied to the tooth. If there is not enough space for this shell, it could interfere with the way that you bite down and cause some discomfort. Luckily, veneer shells are thin, which will limit the amount of enamel that must be removed.

Getting Veneers Is a Process

With most dental procedures, you will be able to have the entire procedure done in a single visit. This is not the case for veneers, and patients should expect this to take at least a couple of visits. During the first visit, the dentist will make a mold of your teeth so that the veneers can be customized to the shape and size of your individual teeth. Once the veneers are ready, you can return to the dentist to have them applied. Depending on the number of veneers that will need to be placed, you may need to do this over a couple of sessions.

Patients May Not Always Be Candidates for Veneers

Unfortunately, some patients will be poorly suited for receiving veneers. Untreated damage to the teeth can be a leading cause of patients being unable to undergo this procedure. If the veneers are applied before the damage is treated, bacteria may become trapped in the tooth, which could lead to infection and rot. A thorough evaluation should be administered to verify that your teeth are healthy enough to receive veneers before you schedule this procedure.

Mild Discomfort Can Be Normal During This Procedure

Dental pain can be a major concern for many people, but the pain that is experienced when receiving veneers will be fairly mild. After this procedure, you may have some sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and foods, but this should only last for a few days before your teeth adapt. If you find that your discomfort is worsening or staying constant after several days, a return trip to the dentist should be scheduled to make sure that there is not a complication with the veneers.

Consult a local dentist, such as Aaron G Birch, DDS PC, to discuss if you are a candidate to receive veneers. 

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18 July 2018