Broken Tooth
Oral Surgeon Dallas
Dental veneers can be used as an alternative to dental crowns or implants. Typically, these are used for cosmetic reasons, and they are preferred because of their small size. They are also less invasive than their alternatives. For example, crowns cover your whole tooth and dental implants require entire tooth replacement. Veneers cover only the front of your tooth. Veneers also always perfectly match your natural tooth’s color. This procedure has a short recovery time and we can give you more information about veneers at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates.
Why Dental Veneers Are Important
Veneers are important for cosmetic reasons. They can help completely restore the look of a damaged or discolored tooth, and they also ensure that all of your teeth look alike. Teeth that are discolored, chipped, broken, or too small can all benefit from veneers. These are very simple to place, and many people choose to get multiple veneers so that their teeth all have a symmetrical look. Veneers are typically placed on your top front teeth, but these can be used on any of your teeth.
Types of Dental Veneers
You have a choice between traditional and no-prep veneers. Traditional veneers are the less preferred choice, as they are a bit more invasive than no-prep veneers. This affects the tooth beyond its enamel, whereas no-prep veneers only affect the enamel. They do last longer, though. Traditional veneers have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years, whereas no-prep veneers have a lifespan of about five to seven years. Porcelain is the most commonly used material, though the actual placement process can vary based on the specific type of veneer.
Placement
Both types of veneers are made the same way initially. Each of these starts with dental x-rays, which our dentist uses to examine your dental health condition and check for any underlying issues. In the follow-up appointment, we will use a grinding tool to trim about half a millimeter of the tooth’s enamel. We can then make an impression of the tooth for our dental lab to use in processing.
Our lab will manufacture your veneers in one to two weeks. We will then contact you to schedule the placement of the veneer. Our dentist will provide a cleaning prior to placement, which helps to avoid unnecessary injury or infection. This procedure then begins with tooth grinding. This is done to create an abrasive texture to which the veneer can attach. No-prep veneers do not require anesthesia, as it is just the enamel that is ground. However, you will need anesthesia prior to grinding for traditional veneers.
Our dentist then places your veneer and sets it using dental cement. An ultraviolet light is used to activate the cement so that it hardens immediately. Prior to setting, our dentist will ensure that the veneer matches the shape, color, and fit of your natural tooth. Depending on the type of veneer you receive, this appointment should take between one and two hours.
It is normal to feel a rough patch on the cement following the appointment, but this should wear down within a few days. If you believe you are a candidate for veneers and have a broken or damaged tooth that you would like to get repaired, or to get more information on veneers, contact Dallas Oral Surgery Associates at 214-363-9946 today. |
