Changing the outward appearance of your teeth won’t impact your overall physical health, but it will improve your emotional and mental health. An improved smile can instantly boost your self-esteem, make you feel more confident, and give you pride in your overall appearance. Unfortunately, many people delay improving their smile because they are worried about cost. Luckily, there may be a cosmetic dentistry treatment option that can allow you to affordably improve your smile.

Veneers are an affordable cosmetic treatment option that can help quickly and effortlessly improve your smile. However, they may not be an option for everyone. If you are thinking about getting veneers to improve your smile, this comprehensive guide will walk you through what they are, how they improve your smile, and who might be a good candidate for them.

What are Veneers?

Think of veneers as a thin, durable mask that can be applied to your natural teeth. Once applied to your teeth, the veneers instantly change the appearance of your teeth. Depending on how they are made, veneers can whiten your teeth, change the shape of your teeth, close large gaps, fix chips or cracks, and cover up the appearance of crooked teeth.

Veneers are made of a very thin shell of porcelain. The porcelain is carefully selected so it matches the look and color of your teeth.

Each veneer used will be customized by your dentist for your mouth. Dentists will customize everything from the length and width of the veneer to the overall shape, thickness, and color.

When applying veneers, your dentist will need to do some minor prep work to your natural teeth. Part of the preparation involves removing a small amount of the enamel on your natural teeth. Removing a small amount of enamel allows your dentist to bond the veneer to your teeth in such a way that it has a very natural appearance.

Why People Choose Veneers?

Many patients choose to use veneers because they are an affordable treatment option. Instead of having to get braces, go through expensive teeth whitening procedures, extract a tooth, or get a dental crown to improve your teeth’s appearance, the veneers will do it for you, but only if you are a good candidate for them.

Who is a Good Candidate for Veneers?

Veneers are a great cosmetic dental treatment option for many people. If you are considering getting veneers, the following are several signs that indicate you may be a good candidate for this type of treatment:

• Desire to fix severely discolored or stained teeth – veneers can remove discoloration or stains on your teeth that tend not to respond to traditional teeth whitening treatment
• Desire to correct stains from extensive tooth decay or old fillings
• Need to correct minor imperfections on your teeth – veneers can easily fix cracks, misshaped teeth, and chips
• Desire to correct several cosmetic issues with your teeth at once – veneers can whiten, straighten, and correct the shape of a single tooth or set of teeth all in one procedure
• Good oral health – patients must have healthy gums and teeth. If your gums and teeth are not healthy, you can undergo treatment to improve their health which may then make you a good candidate for veneers.
• Sufficient tooth enamel must be present – your natural teeth need to have enough enamel left after the small layer has been removed to create a strong bonding surface for the veneer
• Straight or moderately straight teeth – veneers can correct slightly crooked or misaligned teeth. However, if your teeth are severely misaligned it could put too much pressure the veneers and cause them to crack.
• Ability to avoid chewing on your nails, crunching hard candy or food, or gnawing on pens – these bad habits can damage veneers.
• Do not suffer from nighttime teeth grinding or teeth clenching
• Practice good oral hygiene on a regular basis – this includes regular brushing and flossing as well as regular appointments with your dentist for routine cleanings

The only way to see if you are a good candidate for veneers is to have a dentist assess your case. If you live in the Jacksonville, Florida area, call Smiles by Shields to schedule an appointment to discuss veneers with Dr. Shields.