How Do Dental Veneers Work?

Dental veneers are becoming more and more popular to address both cosmetic and restorative problems within the oral cavity. They are a versatile treatment option that patients of all ages can benefit from. However, while popular, they are still much newer to dentistry as compared to dental fillings or crowns, which leaves many individuals with questions, such as how they work and what purpose they serve. Keep reading to find out more! 

Dental veneers

Outlined below is some important information on dental veneers, including what they are, how they work and the purpose they serve. This information can be useful to review when considering different treatments.

Dental veneers defined

Dental veneers are very small and very thin shell coverings that go directly over teeth that are often in the front of the mouth. They are typically made of porcelain, which is a strong material that can be color-matched to the patient's natural teeth, thus allowing for a discreet treatment option. 

The procedure

During a dental veneer procedure, the dentist will follow a few steps to ensure proper placement. Outlined below are the steps of the procedure. 

• A cleaning will be done to ensure that the tooth and surrounding teeth are clean and free of debris
• The dentist will etch the surface of the tooth, which requires shaving down the enamel
• Composite bonding will be applied to the tooth, which ensures that the veneer sticks
• Once the bonding sets, the dental veneer will be placed and fitted appropriately
• Any excess or hangover from the dental veneer will be carefully removed 

While the steps above are relatively standard for everyone, there may be patient-specific steps that the dentist implements or recommends. During the initial consultation, the dentist will highlight any extra steps. 

The purpose

Dental veneers are a very versatile treatment option that can be used for just about any cosmetic or restorative problem. The purpose of dental veneers is to improve the shape, size, appearance or functionality of the tooth beneath. Ultimately, they are used to improve the person's aesthetics and ability to eat and chew like normal. Examples of problems that dental veneers can address include the following. 

• Teeth that are cracked or chipped
• Stains that cannot be removed with teeth whitening
• Fractures or breaks 
• Teeth that are too short or too small compared to those surrounding
• Sharp edges or rough spots

Again, each patient will have varying problems, but for the most part, dental veneers can be used to address a wide variety of problems. The ones listed above are the most common; however, specific imperfections can be addressed during a consultation with a dentist. 

Get started with dental veneers

In order to have dental veneers placed, an evaluation must be done. The dentist can examine the oral cavity and address questions and concerns that the patient may have. From there, an appropriate treatment route can be identified. Reach out today to find out more or to get scheduled for an appointment. 

Request an appointment here: https://oakstreetfamilydental.com or call Oak Street Family Dental at (925) 301-4289 for an appointment in our Brentwood office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates in Brentwood, CA.