Veneers

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are shells made out of either porcelain or composite resin material. They are bonded to the teeth and blend in nicely. Veneers match the shade and color of your natural teeth, giving patients that perfect natural looking white smile.

Typically, veneers are used for patients that have misshapen, stained, uneven, or chipped teeth. Veneers are not permanent, but they are durable, and last between 10-15 years. The life of veneers depends on how much wear and tear they face over time.

Who is a Good Candidate for Veneers?

Patients that have discoloration from multiple dental procedures are typically good candidates for veneers. In addition, patients that have stains from food, or prescription drugs can also benefit from veneers. Veneers can be used to create an even smile, close gaps between teeth, and look natural in the mouth. Gum tissue tolerates porcelain veneers very well, and veneers are stain resistant which helps to keep them bright white.

How are Veneers Applied?

Veneers typically take more than one appointment in our office. We require a preliminary consultation to discuss each patient's goals, and to determine a customized treatment plan. Our team will take x-rays to help us review your teeth in detail, and determine what type of veneers are best.

When patients return to our office, a portion of the tooth enamel is removed to prepare the teeth for the veneers. Molds of your teeth are taken, and are sent out to a lab to prepare the veneers. Once the veneers are ready, our team ensure the veneers fit properly. We also check the color to ensure they match perfectly with your natural teeth.

The teeth are thoroughly cleaned to ensure the veneer adheres properly to the tooth's surface. A special cement material is used to place the veneers on the teeth. An ultraviolet light is used to harden and help set the veneer quickly. The veneer process takes a few weeks to complete, and patients should expect multiple appointments.

Once the veneers have been placed, we require patients to return to our office for a follow up visit. This is to ensure the veneers are still looking and feeling great. Veneers are a less extensive procedure, and are not invasive, making this a great choice for many patients seeking a bright white smile.

Candidates In Aurora & Denver, CO

Veneers address a wide array of cosmetic dental problems, including:

• Chipped teeth
• Stained teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Worn teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Rotated teeth
• Short teeth
• Small teeth

Veneers are a good option if you want a minimally invasive, long-term answer to cosmetic dental problems. The placement of veneers takes only one or two appointments.

Because this type of cosmetic dentistry is versatile and minimally invasive, most people are good candidates for porcelain veneers. The only way to be sure is to visit us for an evaluation. Our dentists will also examine your teeth and gums for any signs of decay or other dental disease. Those issues would need to be treated before applying veneers.

What Type of Veneers are Available?

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are durable, and are made out of ceramic. These veneers can be matched exactly to the shade of your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are the most common type of veneer used because of the ability to really customize the veneer to best fit your teeth. Porcelain veneers preserve as much of your existing tooth as possible, and give patients a long lasting smile.

What Are The Advantages of Porcelain Veneers?

If you decide veneers are right for you, there are several benefits:

• Natural appearance. Porcelain veneers are designed to look just like natural teeth, but without any of the stains or imperfections that can affect natural teeth. Their luster, sheen and wide range of shades lend to this realistic appearance.
• Durable material. The veneer material is very strong. It resists chipping and breaking, although it's not impossible for that to occur. Take care with your veneers just as you do your natural teeth. Wear a mouth guard if you play sports, and don't chew on ice cubes or open packages with your teeth.
• Stain-resistant. The material is not only durable but also color-stable. It will resist stains over the years, although it's important to practice good dental hygiene to further reduce the risk of stains (and cavities!).
• Instant orthodontic effect. You may have heard the phrase "instant orthodontics," which really just means porcelain veneers. This nickname comes from their ability to immediately create the appearance of straight, symmetrical teeth without braces. Of course, some cases of crooked teeth still require braces to correct, but our dentists can determine which options are available to you.

While these are the general advantages of teeth veneers, it is not an exhaustive list and it cannot predict whether they will benefit you. Our experienced dentists first want to listen to you to understand the changes you want to see. We can determine if veneers or other cosmetic treatments are capable of creating the smile of your dreams.

Lumineers

Lumineers are another type of porcelain veneer that can help to improve a patient's smile. This type of veneer requires minimal tooth preparation, and the material is thinner and easily applied compared to traditional porcelain veneers. Placement of Lumineers can be done without injections or anesthesia, and give patients the same benefits and long lasting results.

Composite Resin

Composite resin veneers give the same results and benefits compared to traditional porcelain veneers. This type of veneer helps with chips, teeth length, and gaps between teeth. Composite resin veneers are less expensive, making this a budget friendly choice for patients. The life of a composite resin veneer is not as long as traditional porcelain veneers. Composite resin veneers are applied in a similar fashion with minimal tooth preparation.

CEREC Veneers

CEREC veneers (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) allows our doctor to create and design veneers for patients using our in-office milling unit. With CEREC veneers there is no waiting, and the veneers can be made right in our office. This type of veneer is quick, durable, and long lasting. CEREC veneers give patients a beautiful white smile in just one visit.

Zirconia

Zirconia veneers are typically used for patients that have severely decayed or damaged teeth. This type of veneer is helpful for patients that are looking for an option that is stronger than porcelain veneers. Zirconia is typically used for back teeth, and this type of material can add strength to teeth to prevent wear and tear.

If you are interested in finding out how you may benefit from veneers, contact Aspenwood Dental to schedule your consultation.

How To Care For Veneers

Another benefit of veneers is that they do not require any special care other than these hygiene basics:

• Brush twice daily
• Floss once daily
• Visit the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings

Although the actual porcelain itself cannot decay, you can still develop cavities on any exposed tooth enamel, including the area where the edge of the veneer ends. That is why it is important to keep up a great dental hygiene routine.

To further enhance the ability of veneers to resist discoloration, you may want to consider limiting how often you drink soda and sports drinks, which are known to cause stain. Red wine and tea also fall into this category, and you can reduce their effect by rinsing your mouth with water after drinking them. You may wish to whiten your teeth before getting veneers, and then the shade of veneer will be matched to your brighter, whiter teeth.

Picking The Right Dentist

At Aspenwood Dental Associates and Colorado Dental Implant Center, our cosmetic dentists have all of the characteristics you should look for when considering porcelain veneers:

• Experience
• Training
• Materials used
• Technology
• Commitment to your best results

Aspenwood Dental Associates first opened its doors in 1972. Our patients are at the core of what we do every day, and we believe our patients are our friends. These values are what drive our dentists to create smiles our patients love.