Top 3 Dental Problems That Veneers Can Fix

Do you frequently flash an open-lipped smile without a care for what other people think about your teeth? If the answer is “definitely not!” but you’re already doing all you can to take care of your teeth — brushing, flossing, and getting regular cleanings —veneers might be the next step to getting the confidence to smile big again.

Veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure that restores your smile by covering any number of minor imperfections. This restorative technique isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but at Airport Dental Care, we often recommend veneers to address three common dental problems.

1) Fix damaged teeth

Veneers can restore the appearance of teeth that sustained damage from:

• Trauma (chips and cracks)
• Grinding and clenching
• Brushing your teeth too hard

While more severe damage may require a crown or tooth replacement, veneers are effective for restoring minor damage like chipped, cracked, or worn teeth. (In case you were wondering, a crown covers the entire tooth, while a veneer is bonded to the front surface of a tooth.)

2) Restore discolored teeth

Veneers can create a gleaming smile when dental cleanings and whitening products aren’t enough to remove stubborn stains on your teeth. While abstinence from smoking and certain foods and drinks can reduce staining, it won’t address all stains.

Veneers can restore teeth that have been discolored from other factors, including:

• Internal bleeding within the tooth
• Aging (your teeth naturally yellow with time)
• Thinning of the enamel

3) Cover gaps or crooked teeth

You may think that braces are the only way to close gaps in teeth or correct misalignments, but that’s not necessarily true. Not all gaps require months or years of realignment. Depending on the severity of the gaps, veneers can help reshape your smile and can correct slightly crooked or irregularly shaped teeth.

What is a veneer procedure like?

Since veneers are not reversible, it is important to know what to expect from Dr. LaBombard and our staff at Airport Dental Care.

A veneer procedure usually requires at least two visits. Because we need to prepare your teeth before bonding the veneers, you may experience some minor discomfort.

At the first visit, Dr. LaBombard makes an impression or mold of your teeth and chooses the right shade. He then sends the impression to a dental lab to custom-make the porcelain veneers. The goal is to design your veneers to look like the surface of your natural teeth.

During the following visit, Dr. LaBombard checks the fit of the newly created veneers. If the fit is satisfactory, he then bonds the veneers to your teeth. Once the process is complete, the veneers are permanently attached to the surface of your teeth.

What to expect with veneers

Veneers last several years, but they are not indestructible. If you get veneers, you should be aware that they can break if you chew on ice or if you try to tear something by biting. Veneers are also susceptible to staining, so you may want to abstain from certain foods or drinks.

Deciding whether to get veneers is a conversation you should have with your dentist. At Airport Dental Care in Austin, Texas, Dr. Bombard can help you decide if veneers are the best option for you.  Call us or book online today to learn more about veneers and if they are what your smile needs.