Any individual with damaged or misaligned teeth is often going to begin avoiding social interactions and not enjoy a healthy amount of confidence. Whether it is gaps in one’s teeth or severe discoloration, there are many dental treatment options that are now available to these individuals in order to restore their smile for years to come. Advances to the field of cosmetic dentistry now allow individuals to enjoy one of the most useful and effective treatments for damage or discoloration, dental veneers, for 15 years or longer.
No matter how carefuly an individual visits the dentist or keeps up with their daily hygiene habits, there are many outside factors that can affect the appearance of their teeth. Trauma to the mouth, specifically during childhood sports, is exceedingly typical and can cause chips or fractures. Gaps in between one’s teeth, often a component of malocclusion, can also result in smile that an individual would like to restore.
Severe, internal discoloration is another issue that many patients are forced to deal with every single day. Unlike the discoloration that takes place on the outer layer of teeth, intrinsic staining happens below the dentin layer and can be the result of various medications or damage to the pulp of one’s teeth.
No matter the reason for the staining or damage, dental veneers are one of the most common solutions to restore one’s smile. These are wafer thin pieces of porcelain or a composite that are custom made for each tooth. A dentist will take exact measurements of one’s mouth and then send the information to a specialty manufacturer. In the patient’s next visit to the dentist, a special bonding agent will be used to apply the veneers to the surface of the teeth.
There are a few facts that all individuals should understand before undergoing this kind of treatment. First, veneers are not going to change the appearance of the teeth. Instead, these shells cover up damage, discoloration, or gaps for a natural and restored smile. Once in place, the bonding solution will keep the veneers on for upwards of 15 years, at which point individuals will need to have their veneers replaced.
Although veneers are exceedingly strong, they can crack or chip if too much pressure is applied to them. This includes chewing on hard objects such as pencils, ice, or even nails. In order to keep one’s mouth healthy while the veneers are in place, all individuals should stick to their regular hygiene habits including flossing, brushing, and the use of mouth wash.
From celebrities to students, many patients around the world have had their smiles restored with the use of dental veneers. Any individual with discoloration or damage to their teeth should consult with their dentist to see if this treatment may be right for them.
Dr. Elyson, Northridge dentist, and Dr. Assili, dentist Northridge, both offer a variety of dental treatments for their patients at their office in Northridge and use the latest advancement to produce great smiles.