Dental porcelain veneers can transform the appearance of your smile. They can boost your confidence by adding beauty to your smile and making it more attractive. If you’ve heard of dental veneers but are not sure what veneer treatment is all about, please read on. Here are 10 educational and interesting facts about dental veneers.
Veneers date back to the 1920s
Veneers first became popular in the 1920s in Hollywood. There was a fair amount of prosperity following World War I and before the Great Depression. People were leaning towards fashion, design, and looking good. A California dentist took the opportunity to kick off veneers for Hollywood folks who wanted dazzling smiles.
Porcelain veneers are an art and a science
Veneer treatments are rooted in dental science. There is a fair amount of technical skill involved in crafting veneers. But it’s also an art and there’s an aesthetic sense involved. A good result with veneers involves choosing the right color, translucency, surface texture, proportion, and much more. These characteristics play a critical role in making veneers look beautiful and natural.
Veneers are customized
Veneer treatment is not out of the box or one size fits all. Porcelain veneers are made individually for you. Cosmetic dentists incorporate the characteristics mentioned above (color, translucency, proportion, etc.) to create veneers that are customized for your mouth.
Veneers require only minor tooth preparation
There is very minor tooth preparation or shaving required to prepare the outer surface or the front of the tooth for veneer placement. The veneer itself is a very thin layer of porcelain that is bonded or glued onto the front of the tooth. As a result, there’s no discomfort like you would have with a tooth extraction or root canal treatment. In some cases, people don’t even need to be numbed up for veneer placement.
The healing period after veneers is minimal
Veneer treatment does not involve an extensive recovery or healing period. This is because veneers are done on the surface of the tooth, above the gumline. They are simply bonded into place and you’re ready to go as soon as that’s done. You can get back to your life fairly quickly after getting veneers.
Porcelain veneers discourage bad dental habits
Once you’ve got yourself beautiful teeth with veneers, you’re less likely to chew on pens, ice cubes, and other things that can be damaging to your teeth. So, veneers can actually help modify some of the bad habits you may have developed over time.
Veneers encourage good dental habits
Along the same lines as the above, veneers can motivate and inspire you to take good care of your teeth. When you feel good about your teeth and love your smile, you’re more likely to do what it takes to keep it that way. (Here are some tips to improve your smile).
Porcelain veneers can fix more than just your smile teeth
We call the front teeth the smile teeth. These are the teeth are most visible when you smile, the ones in the top row, side to side or canine to canine. Veneers are excellent for fixing issues with these front six teeth. But they can also be really good for fixing teeth further inside the mouth or even the lower front teeth. It just depends on what’s bothering you most about the appearance of your smile.
Veneers are long-lasting and easily replaceable
If your porcelain veneers wear off, they can be replaced and you can continue to enjoy a beautiful smile long-term. The nice thing is that veneers last for a very long time, typically 15-20 years, and still look really good. The porcelain bonds to the other layer of your tooth and is therefore very durable. Of course, it also depends on how you modify your dental habits and how well you take care of your mouth. With the right care, veneers last a long time but can also be fairly easily replaced.
Porcelain veneers can transform your life
Porcelain veneers can change more than just your smile. They can change the way you feel about yourself, enhance your confidence, and boost your self-esteem. What’s more, studies have found that people who have attractive smiles are more successful professionally.
If you’re concerned about your smile at all or wonder if something can be done for it, it’s worth having a conversation with your dentist. You don’t have to go ahead and do anything. On the other hand, fixing your smile may be simpler than you imagined. Your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers or some other cosmetic dental treatments. If veneers are a good fit for you, they can be life-changing.
At Express Dentist, we have a network of trusted providers across the country. If you’re looking for a dentist who might give you an opportunity to change your smile, please reach out to us. We can connect you to top-rated cosmetic dentists in your area. In the meantime, keep smiling and take care!
About the author
Dr. Greg Grillo
Dr. Greg Grillo DDS studied at the University of Washington where he received a bachelors degree with Honors and later attended dental school on the same campus. Following school Dr. Greg served in the United States Navy as a dental officer. During this time he received advanced training in specialty areas of dentistry while also treating families of members of the military.
As well as sharing valuable information on dentistry and oral health, Dr. Greg remains a practicing dentist to this day. He works with families in the Okanogan Valley where he lives with his wife and three children.
