Veneers: The “secret” to enchanting smiles
Many of the most enchanting and admired smiles have a secret, and that secret is porcelain dental veneers! You don’t have to be a celebrity to benefit from this popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. Your friends in southern New Mexico at Las Cruces Dental Associates bring out the natural and beautiful best in your smile with this straightforward yet transformative process.
Basics about not-so-basic treatment
“Veneer” refers to covering up an object, item, or material. Accordingly, dental veneers cover up cosmetically “imperfect” teeth. In doing so, they beautify the smile by making gaps, chips, small cracks, and other aesthetic concerns “disappear.” Dental porcelain is typically used for veneers because the material optimally replicates the attractive appearance and strength of natural, unblemished tooth enamel. Additionally, porcelain resists stains very well to maintain a dazzling smile for a lifetime. Modern veneers are also very thin. So, the utmost natural tooth structure is preserved. The enamel is altered minimally to make room for the veneer that is applied and secured to the natural tooth.
Candidates for treatment should also:
- Have healthy teeth and gums
- Refrain from biting hard objects
- Treat potentially destructive conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) with nightguards
- Have cosmetic concerns that do not require restorative treatment
- Noticeable imperfections in the highly visible front teeth or other teeth in the “smile zone”
Additional “treatable” cosmetic concerns include discoloration that is stubbornly resistant to professional teeth whitening or bleaching treatments, as well as teeth that are either irregularly shaped or irregularly sized.
What to expect if veneers are right for you
If, following a consultation, you and your dentist decide to move forward with veneers, treatment is generally completed in two appointments. During the first appointment, a small amount of enamel is removed to make room for the ultra-thin veneer. Information about your smile is also collected and used to fabricate the veneers. These steps are tolerated well with little more than a localized numbing anesthetic, as your teeth may be slightly sensitive when even minimal enamel is removed or altered. A temporary or provisional veneer may be applied while our lab makes the permanent one.
During the second appointment, the permanent veneer is secured to the prepared tooth (as long as everything looks and feels fine). We can also make minor adjustments as needed to ensure your new tooth structure looks naturally beautiful. With the imperfections now covered up by your veneers, all others see is your healthy and confident smile!
Serving southern NM and beyond with trusted cosmetic dentistry services, your friends at Las Cruces Dental Associates can be reached at (575) 339-1838. We welcome your questions and look forward to meeting you.
