Veneers can be a great way to improve the look of your smile. Your veneers are custom crafted to look like your existing teeth and fit seamlessly.
From all over Canton, Massillon, North Canton, Greentown, patients have been coming to Henzel Smith Family Dentistry for years to get the right veneers that fit their own personal needs and lifestyles.
What is a veneer?
A veneer is a thin covering for the front of your tooth made of porcelain or composite resin. They can be used to cover:
- chipped, cracked, or disfigured teeth
- gaps between teeth
- permanently stained teeth
Porcelain Veneers
Since a porcelain veneer is specially made by a dental lab, the entire process may take longer than that of a composite resin veneer. They are, however, very strong and not easily stained.
To place your porcelain veneer, the dentist usually treats the front and sides of your tooth to remove a little enamel so there is room for your veneer to fit and look natural. Once any necessary adjustments have been made by the dentist, your custom veneer is then bonded to your tooth. If need be, the dentist can make some alterations during future appointments.
Composite Resin Veneers
Like porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers are thin coverings for your teeth, but the materials, process, and durability are different.
Since the dentist uses composite resin materials to sculpt and bond your veneer in the office, the whole process may be done in as little as one visit.
To prepare your tooth, usually less enamel is needed to be removed than when placing a porcelain veneer. It is hardened and bonded using a special light and then polished to resemble your surrounding teeth.
Though they generally are not as strong as porcelain veneers, composite resin veneers can be quickly repaired if damaged.
How do I take care of my veneers?
With your new veneers in place, you’ll want to take good care of them and your own teeth to ensure your smile keeps on looking great for years to come.
Diet
Avoid foods that can permanently stain or damage your smile. Just chewing on hard foods or items – like ice, pens, and pencils – can greatly harm your veneers and teeth. Once they are damaged, stained, or unintentionally altered in any other way, your veneers might stand out and not look as natural.
Oral Hygiene
To keep your teeth healthy and clean, the American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. And flossing should be done daily to remove bacteria and plaque that can cause your teeth to decay. Dirty and decaying teeth can stand out from your teeth with veneers and may cause unwanted attention.
Dental Visits
It is important to see the dentist to make sure your veneer is placed right and withstanding your normal life. Adjustments that only the dentist can do may need to be made to your veneer.
Comparison of Porcelain and Composite Veneers
Porcelain
- Multiple visits if custom shade is required
- Can last 10-15 years (if well cared for)
- Color is more steadfast
- Stronger
- More esthetic (mimics enamel better)
- More expensive
Composite
- Single visit
- Less time to fabricate
- Can last 4-8 years (if well cared for)
- More prone to discoloration
- More prone to chipping and fracture
- Less esthetic
- Less expensive
Care of Veneers and Bonding
- Avoid biting into hard foods like carrots or uncut apples with the veneered teeth
- Avoid opening bags or other containers with your teeth (This may sound obvious but people still do it.)
- Do Brush and floss – you still have tooth exposed to the oral cavity which can still get cavities
- Don’t chew your fingernails
- If an occlusal splint or night guard is recommended, wear it faithfully
- Keep your regular recare appointments so the veneers can be checked regularly by a professional