Your teeth aren’t just an important part of your physical appearance — they’re also vital for chewing and digesting your food. However, if your teeth are flawed, it not only affects your confidence but also puts you at risk for cavities and gum disease. However, porcelain veneers offer a solution.
At Lancaster Dental Care Associates, located in Lancaster, California, our team is dedicated to giving you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Whether you have a gap between your teeth or experience discoloration that won’t respond to whitening, our team of dentists helps you explore veneers.
A veneer is a type of dental treatment that reshapes your existing teeth. The veneer itself is a thin shell-like cover that’s applied to the front of your tooth. Veneers are permanent, meaning they’re attached with a bonding material.
Porcelain is the most common material used for veneers, but they can also be made out of a resin-like substance. Before the veneers are attached, your teeth must be prepared, meaning our team must remove a tiny bit of enamel. That is why veneers are considered permanent.
Because of the preparation, they usually require at least two appointments. But the exact timeline depends on several factors, including if your veneer is already made or if it needs to be fabricated in the laboratory.
Veneers are very different from other treatments, like a crown. Where crowns cover the entire surface of your teeth, veneers only mask the front surface to give the appearance of a more even smile.
Keep in mind, this treatment is not always covered by insurance. However, traditional porcelain veneers typically last up to 15 years, making the money spent worth it in the long run.
So why should you choose veneers over other types of dental treatments? Veneers provide a cosmetic alternative to more invasive dental fixes, such as dental implants or crowns. If your smile is less than perfect, veneers may be the option you’ve been looking for.
Discolored teeth are one of the main reasons you might choose this type of dental treatment. Discoloration occurs for many reasons, like coffee stains or smoking. Although there are plenty of whitening treatments available, they require constant maintenance to maintain the results.
Veneers provide an excellent way to keep your smile white. However, there are other reasons our team recommends veneers, including:
Veneers may also help with the misalignment of the teeth that are most visible when you smile. They also help with teeth that are not the same size or shape, allowing our team to make each tooth match perfectly.
To get the most out of your veneers, make sure to care for them. Typically, porcelain veneers last anywhere from 10-15 years. With the proper care, they’ll last at least that long.
Once the veneers are in place, you can go back to eating right away. There’s no downtime with this procedure, but our team does review care tips such as:
Another step to protect your veneers is wearing a mouthguard if you play sports. That helps protect the surface of your teeth as well as the thin veneer that’s giving you a beautiful smile.
Regular brushing and flossing are also essential to keeping your veneers safe. Keeping your teeth clean removes bacteria, helping you avoid getting cavities or gum disease around the veneers.
If you think that veneers sound like something that will help your smile, call our office to schedule a consultation at 661-282-7512, or you can book an appointment online.
