What Are the Reasons to Get Dental Veneers?

You may consider having a veneer placed on one or more of your teeth if you are unhappy with the appearance of the tooth. For example, if your tooth has become discolored, misshapen, chipped, cracked, or there is significant gapping between teeth. Veneers are an entirely cosmetic dental treatment that is frequently used on one or more teeth to improve the overall appearance of the smile and sometimes a function of the bite. They are also sometimes recommended for patients with thin or damaged enamel who are experiencing tooth sensitivity by acting as a sort of barrier between the natural tooth and external stimuli such as hot or cold beverages or food that tend to result in sensitivity, having the stimuli only come into contact with the veneer rather than the tooth enamel.

When considering getting veneers, there is no specific age that is the “best”, with the best time to get them depending on the individual circumstances, with the only age restriction being on the patient needing to be at least in their late teens or early twenties as that is when their teeth will have finished developing. Regardless of your age, you will need to consult with a qualified dentist to determine if veneers are an appropriate treatment option for you depending on the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your expectations for the final results. It is more important that your teeth are finished developing entirely and that the teeth and gums are of good health than your age when considering getting veneers. The patient must also be capable of properly maintaining their teeth, including following good oral hygiene practices.

Although veneers are not considered to be a permanent procedure, they should last for many years so long as they are properly maintained by both the patient and through regular check-ups. A veneer can come off prematurely, at which point it can most likely be reattached if it is undamaged and the natural tooth is still in good health. If one of your veneers comes off, you must visit your dentist as quickly as possible to have your situation assessed so that the best course of action can be determined. If the veneer that came off is damaged or if some time has passed since it had fallen off, a new custom-fitted veneer may need to be made. In cases where the veneer simply lasted its expected lifespan and fell off, it may just need to be replaced with a new veneer. Regardless of why or how your veneer came off, you mustn’t try to reattach it yourself as this may cause further damage to the veneer or your natural tooth. Simply bring in the veneer if you still have it to see if your dentist can reattach it easily, and to let them assess the health and state of your tooth and veneer to ensure the best outcome.

The number of veneers recommended to a single patient can vary quite a bit depending on their specific dental situation and aesthetic goals. Some patients only need one veneer to improve the appearance of a single tooth, others may opt for multiple veneers especially if they have any gapping between the teeth that they want to get rid of. It is also common for patients to opt for a full set of veneers to completely makeover their smile. When discussing with your dentist to determine how many veneers you should get, various factors will be taken into consideration including the color, shape, and alignment of your natural teeth along with your specific goals and desired outcome. Your dentist will provide a recommendation for the appropriate number of veneers that will allow you to achieve your desired final results while still ensuring that it is a safe and effective treatment option for you.

Dental veneers are an excellent solution for a variety of dental concerns. Dental veneers are available at NuSmile Dental & Orthodontics. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1319 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95118. We serve patients from San Jose CA, Los Gatos CA, Campbell CA, Santa Clara CA, Cupertino CA, Sunnyvale CA, Saratoga CA, and Mountain View CA.