It is halfway through April and that means we’re nearly through National Humor Month. We’ve learned that laughter is a potent natural medicine and that smiling is part of the therapeutic process. But what if you’re shy about your smile? Cosmetic dentistry offers many solutions to help improve your first impression, including veneers.
What are veneers?
Veneers are a great alternative to dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile. They are thin, semi-translucent “shells” customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. Subtle changes to your smile can be achieved with veneers, and in most cases, the application is completed in only two office visits. Local anesthesia usually is not required when placing veneers. However, depending on the patient’s sensitivity, it can be used if needed.
What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers can correct:
- Discoloration.
- Teeth that are worn down.
- Chipped or broken teeth.
- Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them).
- Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth).
What Are the Advantages of Dental Veneers?
Veneers offer the following:
- They provide a natural tooth appearance.
- Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
- Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
- The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected so that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
- Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color and shape.
Care for Veneers
The AACD suggests brushing at least twice daily with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and flossing as you would your regular teeth. Limiting your intake of coffee, red wine, and other stain-producing foods and beverages is encouraged.
Bear in mind that veneers will need to be replaced at some point, no matter how well you take care of them, but proper oral hygiene will help them last as long as possible.
When you’re happy with your smile, you’re more likely to join in on the punchlines and merriment – you may even be the one cracking the jokes. But if you’re shy about your smile, you may not participate in all the fun that life has to offer. At Asheville Dental, we want you to love and live life to the fullest with a smile that makes you feel confident. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and we can discuss if veneers are the option for your optimal smile. If they aren’t, we offer other services and will find the right one for you!
“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” — Lord Byron
