Dental Veneers: A Detailed Guide from A to Z

Are you happy with your smile, or do you have to hide your mouth while smiling broadly? If you feel unconfident when showing the teeth, then maybe dental veneers will be the right choice for you. In case you have tried numerous whitening techniques, or you have broken, chipped and worn teeth, this guide to dental veneers will be a true godsend to you. There are many types of veneer materials depending on your needs, available budget among other factors. However, it is highly recommended to perform detailed research before approaching the dentist for getting veneers in New Mexico. You should fully realize what it is, when this option is effective, its advantages and disadvantages, and other significant details. Once you get the main idea of the process of veneer placement, you can move closer towards your dream – to have a snow-white, healthy and confident smile.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers gain more and more popularity among people of different ages who are dreaming to smile without any anxieties. Veneers are thin shells that are made of different materials. A dentist places composite veneers over the visible part of the patient’s teeth. The overlays look natural or even better, aiming to provide every person with a Hollywood smile. The specialists make the custom veneers considering the patient’s teeth color and shape. As a result, you get the improved version of your own teeth, and nobody would discover the secret of your perfect smile. People, who have broken, worn, or chipped teeth, may consider placing the veneers. Moreover, this option is effective when other whitening techniques haven’t brought the expected results.

When Are Dental Veneers Effective?

As it has been mentioned above, veneers may be beneficial in many cases of restorative dental treatment. The doctor usually listens to the patient attentively  before guiding him/her through the veneer placement. Generally, there are a few problems that dental veneers can solve:

1.   Color of teeth. Dentists use a unique grading system consisting of categories from A to D in order to identify the most appropriate color for your natural teeth. Veneers are an effective option for overcoming the problem of discoloration.
2.   Apparent shape of teeth. The patient may have misshapen teeth because of genetic or environmental issues. For any reason, veneers will be efficient for enhancing the alignment or hiding available gaps.
3.   Restoring the teeth. The causes of damaged tooth shape are numerous. Grinding teeth, traumatic injury, and other acts may destroy the natural appearance of your smile. Dental procedures with placing veneers are the best solution in such situations.
4.   Misalignment issues. Malocclusion of teeth develops either due to trauma or naturally. As a result, the misalignment between lower and upper teeth occurs. Veneers can fix this problem and restore your smile.

Who Needs Dental Veneers?

All these dental issues sound familiar to most people. But when do you need veneers for sure? The perfect candidates for visiting cosmetic dentistry in Albuquerque are people who want to enhance the color of their teeth and those who have minor cosmetic imperfections or very stained teeth. If you are tired of hiding your teeth while smiling and want to boost self-confidence, then it is high time to learn about different types of veneers and find the best one for you personally.

Different Types of Veneers

The veneers are made of different materials that you choose depending on the problem you want to fix, the available budget, and personal peculiarities. The dentist always gives recommendations on the best type of veneers for each particular patient. Generally, there are three types of veneers.

Porcelain Veneers

This type of veneer appeals more to people who are eager to change the shape, size, or color of their teeth. If you want to have minor alterations, then consider the following benefits of porcelain veneers:

•         They serve up to 15 years if are properly taken care of 
•         The teeth look very natural
•         Such veneers are thinner in comparison to other types
•         Any of natural teeth is going to be shaved down

Pay attention that such veneers may be very durable while looking so natural. Still, the price is high, and special polishing toothpaste is required for daily use. In case of breaking, you will have to replace these veneers as they can’t be repaired.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are popular with people who are looking for cost-effectiveness. A doctor will place them in just one visit. Here are a few significant advantages:

•         Twice as cheap as porcelain veneers
•         Require less tooth preparation
•         High-quality veneers may look quite natural

With a relatively low price, you should understand that these veneers will not come with the same benefits as the porcelain alternative. They are more likely to break, stain, or chip. On average, their lifespan is not more than five years.

Ceramic Veneers

It is another type of veneer that is used by people who want to have a healthy, snow-white smile. Among the key benefits are:

•         Durability
•         Natural appearance
•         Capability to imitate natural teeth

Producing ceramic veneers usually takes more time in comparison to other types. Besides, the patients may experience tooth sensitivity after treatment that generally lasts for a few days only.

The Cost of Dental Veneers

If you want to know the actual cost of veneers, you should schedule an appointment and consult with your dentist in Albuquerque. Generally, the price depends on the patient’s location and the number of teeth you want to cover with veneers. The material is also a decisive factor for calculating the overall price. Composite and porcelain veneers come up with varying rates based on the brand that you prefer. You should keep in mind that placing dental veneers is not included in dental insurance since it is considered a cosmetic procedure. But, of course, you should check on your personal insurance policy to find out the details. 

Main Steps of Veneer Placement Process

Can veneers be done in one appointment? Usually, this process includes a few steps. First, you meet your dentist to learn about benefits and drawbacks of dental veneers and determine what type suits you perfectly. Once you make a final decision, you should plan a series of appointments. Getting veneers usually takes three visits to the dentist’s office. Further, you are recommended to schedule several appointments afterwards to make sure that everything is alright, and you are fully satisfied with your new smile.

Dental Veneer Diagnosis & Planning

The purpose of the first appointment is to diagnose available dental problems and work out the treatment plan. You are expected to share your objectives and expectations. Showing the pictures of a perfect smile is a great idea. The dentist will look at your face from every angle, study your smile, and examine the impressions of your bite. Also, the doctor will check how you talk to ensure that new teeth will not affect your speech and voice. It is when you will find out a final veneers Albuquerque cost for your personal case.

At the first appointment, X-rays are taken as well to detect any issues with the patient’s mouth. Then the dentist creates an impression or the mold that will be used for preparing your future veneers. Later, they will be designed to provide you with a perfect smile. You will have to wait up to a month until your temporary veneers are ready for the second meeting with your dentist.

Getting Temporary Dental Veneers

At this stage, you will get customized veneers that are made of liquid. You need to wear them for 2-3 weeks to get used to a new look and check whether they fit you perfectly. The dentist will paint the veneers with the shade that suits the rest of your non-veneer teeth most . You should check every detail about the veneers and give feedback to the doctor. Imagine that you are going to purchase a car and need to have a test drive to ensure that an actual vehicle meets your expectations—the same works for veneers. You should check them thoroughly before they are cemented to your teeth for many years.

The temporary veneers let the dentist create a refreshed smile and minimize the damage to the actual teeth. As a result, they will get less stress because a full veneer requires reducing each tooth by 0.5-millimeter.  Such a test version must give you an understanding of whether veneers suit you well or need some changes. 

Placing the Dental Veneers

At last, the time for the third appointment comes. It is when new dental veneers are installed on your teeth. Before they are glued to the planned place, the doctor will make all necessary adjustments so that you are comfortable with their shape and pleased with the color. When you and your dentist are satisfied with the look, the veneers are put in the place. Be ready to spend a few hours at the dentist’s office during your third appointment. Usually, the procedure is performed under numbing agents or local anesthetic after a deep cleaning of all teeth. Later, the doctor applies a dental bond and uses ultraviolet light to bind and accustom the adhesive that sticks the veneers to your teeth.

In the long run, the dentist removes excess cement and makes the final adjustments to make certain that the veneers perfectly suit your smile, bite and look attractive. Just after the numbing agents stop working, you will be able to talk, eat, and get back to a normal way of life. Mind that a mouth area and jaw may be sore for a couple of days.

You must visit the dentist’s office in a few weeks after the procedure. The doctor will make sure that everything is healing well, and your gums and bite respond to the changes positively. The dentist will also give you crucial recommendations on the daily dental care after placing the veneers.

How to Take Care of the Dental Veneers?

If you want to prolong the lifespan of veneers, you should keep an eye on proper care after placing them. Luckily, there is nothing special, and in general, the care is similar to your regular dental hygiene. But, of course, you will have to keep a few nuances in mind. It is not allowed to eat tough, hard, or chewy foods immediately after placing the veneers. In case you are doing sport, be ready to purchase a mouthguard. It will also be helpful during the night. People who have bad habits like grinding teeth, crunching on ice, chewing on pens, or biting nails, should be especially careful and do their best to get rid of these habits. Besides, it is necessary to diminish the consumption of coffee, wine, and other beverages and foods that stain the teeth.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Veneers

The main advantage of veneers is that they are less painful in comparison to braces and other suchlike solutions. You do not have to keep them for your entire life, and you are free to remove them whenever you feel like that. Also, veneers can be adjusted, which is very important through getting older due to face changes. Thanks to customizing, you can achieve a perfect smile that looks natural. Unlike popular procedures of teeth caps or porcelain crowns, placing veneers doesn’t require extensive gums shaping. Being a conservative option, they come with lower risks. Having veneers is also a great solution in case you do not like the appearance of your smile. It is the best decision for stained/discolored teeth that do not benefit from whitening treatments.

As for the disadvantages, painful removal should be primarily mentioned. Even though porcelain veneers are hard to chip or crack, you should be ready to replace them if necessary. Besides, excellent dental care is required as if you care for the natural teeth. Increased sensitivity during the first days is not very pleasant. Finally, it is important to remember that any cosmetic procedure that you are planning to do on the cheek area, chin, lips, and around the mouth, may influence the appearance of veneers. Mind that it is better to have any whitening procedures on non-veneered teeth before the veneers are installed. Otherwise, you risk facing unpleasant issues with different shades.

Does Getting Veneers Hurt?

One more drawback of veneers is the painful dental procedure. It prevents lots of people from getting a Hollywood smile and increasing self-confidence. Mind that the primary examination and consultation are not painful at all. The procedure of placing temporary veneers may be a little bit uncomfortable since the jaw and the mouth adjust. But numbing agents or local anesthetic will reduce any possible discomfort. Within the first few days after placing the veneers, you are going to experience sore gums and jaw. It is not surprising as you require time to get accustomed to veneered teeth. In case you suffer from pain or discomfort for a longer period, you should get in touch with the dentist and make an appointment to check everything carefully.

Where to Get Dental Veneers?

Your regular dentist has probably offered to place dental veneers. If not, then you can look for some professional clinic to settle everything down. Finding the best dental office may be quite challenging, as you can’t know for sure the final result that the team of doctors will deliver. That’s why you are recommended to study the reviews before scheduling an appointment. The photos “before/after” will make a great portfolio of a particular clinic. Do not be shy to ask for pictures. If you don’t approach the right dentist, you risk facing certain complications with your veneers. Gallegos Family Dentistry offers you to place porcelain veneers in Albuquerque as its experienced team has a personalized approach to every patient that will provide you with top-quality dental services.

Final Remarks

Getting dental veneers will help you fix a number of dental problems. Still, you should remember that the most important thing is to do a detailed research before making the final decision. Placing veneers is not efficient in overcoming more severe cases like riven teeth, root fractures, vertical gaps, etc. That’s why a professional consultation is required. Each patient is unique, so every smile needs a personalized approach. This is when an experienced team of professionals steps in. Dental specialists will customize the veneers to suit your face and help you get rid of all dental anxieties for good. Westside family dentistry in Albuquerque is welcoming everybody who wants to feel confident and smile broadly. You can schedule an appointment right now and get your dream smile as soon as possible.