Also called porcelain veneers or dental laminates, veneers are thin shells made of materials to mimic the natural appearance of your teeth. They're formed and bonded to the surface of your existing teeth to correct cosmetic issues and mild to moderate tooth restorations. We provide beautiful, natural-looking veneers at River City Dental Solutions, at our office in San Antonio, TX.
Porcelain and resin composites are the most common materials for dental veneers. Typically, porcelain veneers provide a better match to the appearance of existing teeth, and the material also resists stains better than resins.
What dental issues can veneers fix?
Considered a cosmetic treatment by many, veneers can indeed correct a wide variety of visible smile issues. Teeth may become discolored from food and beverage stains, tobacco use, previous dental work, or changes brought on by aging. Veneers mask the stains that can't be removed from permanent teeth.
In some cases, veneers can also correct physical damage. Teeth that are worn down, chipped, or broken can be restored to ideal condition using veneers. Gaps, misalignments, and irregular shapes are treated with veneers, too, giving your smile an even and clean appearance.
Veneers offer several advantages over other restoration techniques. As a conservative approach to improving the appearance of a tooth's color and shape, veneers can be placed without extensive shaping of the tooth, which is required with crowns. Porcelain resists stains, is well tolerated by gum tissue, and can lighten the appearance of dark teeth.
What should I expect with dental veneer treatment?
Veneers usually require two or three visits to River City Dental Solutions. The first visit is typically a consultation, but this may be incorporated in your appointment for other dental issues.
The second visit is the preparatory stage. Dr. Shields or Dr. Perry remove a thin layer of enamel from the teeth receiving veneers to make room for the thickness of the veneer. After this, a model of your teeth is made, either physically through impression molding or virtually, with three-dimensional imaging techniques. This model serves as the base for the dental lab to create custom veneers made to fit your teeth.
The last appointment consists of the final shaping of the veneer and cementing it into place. Depending on your situation, you may need a follow-up visit to check your veneers.