What Problems Can Dental Veneers Fix?

by | Aug 26, 2014

Are you feeling a little down in the mouth? Looking to brighten your smile from discoloration, fix chipped teeth or broken teeth, close tooth gaps, and correct other damage? If you need one or more of these issues addressed, you may want to consider a dental veneers fix mouth makeover!

Dental veneers are thin custom-designed shells made of materials similar in color and similar in appearance to your natural teeth. Dental veneers are also known as dental porcelain, porcelain veneers, or laminates. These veneers are formatted to cover the front surface of your teeth and improve your dental appearance. The thin shells are bonded to the front of the teeth. They can improve the color, shape, length, and size of your current teeth (Click here to learn about first impressions, and why they are so important).

Dental Veneers can be constructed from porcelain or resin materials. It should be noted that the porcelain veneers are better at preventing stains and they better resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. Resin veneers are much thinner and during the application process, less of the tooth surface will need to be removed when you have resin veneers. Always discuss major dental procedures with your dentist. Let him know what you want, what your budget is, and why you have dental concerns.

What Tooth Problems Can Dental Veneers Fix?

Many people have porcelain veneers because they may not give their teeth the attention they deserved during their formative years. It is true that the first thing people notice about you is your smile, so having a clean white smile can be beneficial to your personal and professional life. Dental veneers fix many cosmetic mouth issues. If you feel that your smile is not up to par, give us a call.

Some possible reasons for getting veneers might be:

  • Discolored teeth – either due to stains, poor root canals, poor maintenance, or resin fillings
  • Worn-down Teeth – With age, tooth enamel may start to wear off and cause a strange appearance. Dental Veneers will help maintain this dental structure and prevent further erosion
  • Chipped or broken teeth – if your teeth are always breaking or chipping then veneers just make sense for you from appearance and economical perspectives
  • Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped
  • Tooth gaps

How to Get Dental Veneers

Getting dental veneers will require several trips to the dentist. There will be consultations and several application appointments. The number of teeth that undergo the veneer process depends on how your dentist evaluates your smile. He or she may suggest placing veneers on a few teeth, or on almost all of your teeth. This is the time to thoroughly discuss the veneer process and to ask your dentist any questions you might have.

The Procedures

  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: This involves explaining to your dentist exactly what you want and why you want it. A thorough examination of your teeth and gums will show whether you are a good candidate for veneers or if you should consider alternatives. Make sure you listen to your dentist’s professional opinion on the subject. Next, we’ll take X-rays and impressions of your mouth. Let your dentist know if you have gag or reflex issues when you have the impressions made as this can be an uncomfortable process to undergo.
  • Preparing: To get teeth ready for a veneer or veneers application, your dentist will need to remove some enamel from your current teeth. Finally, the surface will be reduced to a thinner and more easily bonded structure with about ½ millimeter of enamel removal. This process may be uncomfortable for some people.

Be Prepared to Spend Some Time With Your Dentist

A local anesthetic will numb the gum and teeth areas. After this process, the dentist will then make an impression of your teeth. This mold will then go to a dental laboratory (your dentist may have one in-house). This model will be used for your veneer construction by the veneer construction team.

Do not be surprised if it takes 1-2 weeks for the veneers to be made. Once they are ready you will need to visit your dentist again for the application. There are temporary veneers if your tooth or teeth need an immediate fix. Ask your dentist about this if you feel like you would be a good fit for temporary veneers while permanent ones are being made.

  • Bonding: Once you go back to the dentist, he or she will see if the constructed veneers look good and fit properly. This is an important step in the process. Veneers that look like they do not belong are not something you want.  The color also needs to look natural. If any veneer trimming needs to be made then this will be the time for the dentist to do so.

Choosing & Using Dental Cement

Dental cement has different colors and the closest color to your natural teeth will need to be chosen correctly. Your teeth will be scrubbed, polished, and scratched. These scratchings will make for a tighter bond and snugger fit. Working with quality cement can help assist your dental veneers fix.

Your dentist applies veneer cement to your teeth and then the veneers go on top of the cement. After placement, we use a light beam on the veneer and the cement. This will speed up the process of bonding between your natural teeth and your veneers. The hardening needs to be quick and accurate, so the veneers do not shift and are securely placed on your natural teeth.

Your dentist wipes away any extra or surplus cement around your veneers from your teeth and veneers. Furthermore, we inspect your bite and veneer placement, before you leave the dental office.

Dental Veneers Fix Follow-Up Visit

Your dentist will want you to come in for a follow-up visit about two weeks after your dental veneers fix visit. We’ll check your bite, gum condition, fit, color, and overall appearance of your veneers. At that time, he or she will be able to judge if the dental veneers did, in fact, fix the problems you were experiencing. If necessary, we’ll make adjustments from here.

If you think you’re in need of a dental veneers fix, make an appointment to visit your dentist and discuss the questions that concern you. Decide if you want resin or porcelain veneers. Be sure to cover all of your bases at this consultation appointment. Make sure you know exactly what you want in your veneers. Also, keep price in mind, know your budget, and talk to your dentist about your expectations. Trust us, you will love your new veneers!

Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California

Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California. We even have a dedicated children’s dentist office, City Dental Kids & Braces, to cater to the special physical and emotional needs of children.

Whether you need checkups, x-rays, braces, bonding, teeth whitening, sealants, oral cancer screenings, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, or tooth extraction, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.

Contact The Nearest Dentist to You

Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in AzusaCoronaLake ForestMontclairPico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!

Dentist in Azusa, CA

Location: 483 S. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 966-3400

Dentist in Corona, CA

Location: 161 McKinley St. STE 102, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 737-3746

Dentist in Lake Forest, CA

Location: 24602 Raymond Way #210, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 461-5800

Dentist in Montclair, CA

Location: 5182 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: (909) 295-3477

Dentist in Pico Rivera, CA

Location: 9400 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: (562) 949-2526

Dentist in West Covina, CA

Location: 154 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-1722