Dental Veneers 101

Dental Veneers 101

If tooth imperfections are interfering with your smile and your self-confidence, you've come to the right place. Dr. Rick Dentistry is proud to offer state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry services, including porcelain veneers. Your new restorations will effectively mask any flaws in your teeth and will deliver your perfect smile. Here's all you need to know about dental veneers and their stunning results!

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are lightweight, wafer-thin porcelain "shells" that Dr. Rick bonds to the front surfaces of your teeth to completely transform your smile. They work similar to permanent makeup, improving the appearance, color, size, shape, or length of your teeth. Depending on your unique needs, we can place veneers on one or more of your teeth to enhance their health and appearance.

What Are the Uses of Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers deliver beautiful smile makeovers, which is why they fall under the cosmetic dentistry category. However, they often play a restorative role, enhancing the health and function of damaged teeth. Here are some of the uses of dental veneers:

  • Repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
  • Correct uneven, misaligned, or irregularly shaped teeth
  • Eliminate heavy staining that does not respond to traditional teeth whitening
  • Close gaps between teeth
  • Restore teeth worn-down due to grinding, a condition known as bruxism
  • Repair enamel damage to restore a tooth's health
  • Increase the length or size of short or small teeth to improve their appearance

What Is the Choice Material for Dental Veneers?

Porcelain is the preferred material for dental veneers because it looks so much like your natural teeth that it's almost impossible to tell them apart. That's because of its light-reflection properties that mimic that of natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is stain-resistant, leaving you with the confidence that your smile will stay white and bright. With proper care, you can expect to enjoy your movie star-like smile anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and in some cases, even 20 years!

What Is the Dental Veneers Procedure? 

Once Dr. Rick evaluates your unique needs and determines that porcelain veneers are right for you, he will use a shading chart to select the appropriate color and shade for your new restorations. Next, he will take an x-ray of your mouth and impressions of your teeth. The technicians at our dental laboratory will use this information to create your fully customized porcelain veneers.

When your veneers are ready, you will return to our office for a placement appointment. Dr. Rick will remove a fine layer of tooth enamel to make the room needed to accommodate your custom restorations. After ensuring a perfect fit, he will cement your new veneers and use a curing light to harden the bonding material. You'll leave our office with your new winning smile!

How Should You Care for Your Veneers? 

Make sure you maintain daily brushing and flossing to keep your smile clean and healthy. Keep in mind that veneers can chip just like natural tooth enamel, so it's best to avoid biting down on hard objects. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, a custom mouthguard will protect your restorations and your natural teeth from fracture or wear. With proper care, you'll enjoy your healthy, radiant smile for many years to come.

Quality Dental Veneers Near Me

Contact Dr. Rick's dental practice in Scottsdale, AZ, to learn more about transforming your smile with dental veneers. We are committed to utilizing cutting-edge technology and proven techniques to deliver a smile you love. We invite you to experience cosmetic dentistry at its best! Call us and schedule your appointment today.