Dental Veneers
At Bloomsburg Family Dentistry, we believe every smile is beautiful in its own way, but every smile also has the potential for greater symmetry, a brighter and more even tone, and a more aesthetically pleasing enhancement of a person's surrounding features. Dental veneers offer an excellent option for achieving your smile goals by correcting minor imperfections or completely transforming the look of your smile.
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment. They consist of tooth-shaped, wafer-thin shells that are designed to fit over the front, visible surfaces of the teeth to alter and enhance the appearance of a person's smile.
There are several types of dental veneers, and they primarily vary based on the material they are made from. Some of the most common types of veneers include:
The type of dental veneers that makes the most sense for you will depend on your treatment goals and preferences. Our dentist can talk with you about all of the dental veneer options we offer at our office and answer your questions to help you determine the choice that is right for you.
Dental veneers are a purely cosmetic treatment focused on improving the aesthetic appearance of the smile. They are commonly used for the following purposes:
Dental veneers are a minimally invasive, pain-free treatment, and they are also quite versatile. Patients can correct minor imperfections with one or two strategically placed veneers, or they can completely transform the look of their smile with a whole set of veneers.
The process of getting dental veneers varies slightly depending on the type of dental veneers you have selected. Of course, the process always begins with a consultation appointment where we discuss your concerns, understand your goals, and provide you with a variety of personalized treatment options.
We apply a local anesthetic to ensure you experience no pain or discomfort while we prepare your teeth for dental veneers. This process involves removing a thin layer of tooth enamel, which makes space for veneers to sit flush against the teeth and achieve a natural look. The tools used and the extent of this process vary based on the type of veneer being placed.
Once prepped, we take digital impressions of your teeth and upload these images into a special system where we use powerful software to custom-design your veneers and your new look. We then submit these designs to our dental lab, where your veneers will be manufactured to your exact specifications.
When your veneers are ready, we will have you come into our office for your veneers to be placed. We ensure that the surfaces of your teeth are completely clean and dry before securing the dental veneers using special dental cement. We can then make small adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit and that your desired look is achieved.
The average lifespan of dental veneers can vary quite a bit, depending on the type of dental veneers and their specific location in your mouth. On average, veneers can last anywhere from about 10 to 15 years. If a dental veneer becomes broken or damaged, it will need to be replaced. This is especially true with porcelain veneers, which are a permanent treatment.
To extend the life of your dental veneers, we recommend:
Dental veneers offer several impactful aesthetic benefits, but they aren't always the right treatment for everyone. In some cases, patients might benefit from alternative treatments that can achieve similar cosmetic results as dental veneers with a different approach or with additional benefits.
For example, some patients who simply wish to brighten the color of their smile might find that professional teeth whitening achieves their desired results with a lower cost and less extensive process. In other cases, patients might be better served by dental bonding or a dental crown that will strengthen and protect a natural tooth while also enhancing its appearance.
Our dentist can talk with you about your goals and explain all of your treatment options to help you determine the treatment plan that will best meet all of your needs.
If you have minor smile imperfections that bother you or if you wish you could makeover your whole smile to better complement your facial features, then dental veneers might be the solution to help you turn your smile dreams into your smile reality. To learn more about dental veneers or find out if they are the right treatment option for you, contact Bloomsburg Family Dentistry today.