What are veneers?
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells affixed to the front of your natural, permanent teeth. They’re made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin, and restore balance and symmetry to your smile.
What types of cosmetic imperfections can veneers treat?
At San Ramon Dental Excellence, the team uses veneers to address several cosmetic imperfections, including:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Unusually shaped teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Stains that don’t respond to teeth whitening
- Smaller-than-average teeth
- You might also benefit from veneers if you have small gaps or spaces between your teeth.
What are the benefits of veneers?
Veneers provide a variety of benefits. For example, they’re:
- Natural-looking
- Durable
- Color-matched to your teeth
- Stain-resistant
Additionally, veneers require very little preparation. Prior to applying veneers, San Ramon Dental Excellence shaves a thin layer of enamel from each tooth, about one millimeter thick.
Does getting veneers take more than one appointment?
Getting veneers takes two separate appointments. At your initial consultation, the team conducts an oral exam and asks you about your goals for treatment.
Afterward, your provider administers a local anesthetic and carefully prepares each tooth receiving a veneer. Then, they take digital impressions of each prepared tooth. The team sends your digital impressions to a dental laboratory that manufactures your custom veneers.
A week or two later, you return to San Ramon Dental Excellence. At your second appointment, the team once again administers a local anesthetic, lines your veneers over your permanent teeth, and carefully bonds them in place. The entire process takes between 60-90 minutes and you leave the office with a brilliant smile.
How long do veneers last?
Veneers typically last 10-15 years, but you can extend their lifespan by practicing good oral hygiene. The team at San Ramon Dental Excellence recommends brushing and flossing daily and getting a professional dental cleaning and oral exam every six months.
To keep your veneers in great shape, you should also avoid bad habits like nail-biting or chewing on ice cubes. If you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, you might also want to invest in a mouthguard.
If you dream of having a brighter, whiter, and more aesthetically pleasing smile, consider veneers. Schedule an appointment at San Ramon Dental Excellence today. Book a consultation online, or call the office and speak with the friendly team.
