As a dentist, I am often asked how to get dental veneers that look natural. There are many options available for achieving the perfect smile and it is important to understand the benefits of each before you make your decision.
People opt for veneers if they have broken or misshapen teeth or gaps between their teeth and for a perfect smile. But the first question that comes to mind before opting for such a procedure is:
“Will the veneer look natural?”
Types of dental veneers
There are two types of veneers, porcelain or composite resin.
Porcelain veneers, though more expensive than the latter, last longer, do not get discoloured, and look the closest to natural teeth.
In order to ensure that you get a natural look with your veneers, keep the following things in mind.
How to get natural looking dental veneers
Since veneers are a permanent solution you must ensure that the dentist is reliable and experienced.
These are the 4 key areas that make the difference when trying to achieve a natural look with dental veneers.
- The correct colour matching
- The material quality
- The veneer thickness
- The correct tooth contour
How are dental veneers applied?
In this procedure, a thin layer of tooth enamel is removed from the tooth, and then a thin layer of tooth-shaped porcelain or composite is placed over the top.
Porcelain veneers, though more expensive than the latter, last longer, do not get discoloured, and look the closest to natural teeth.
The colour of the veneer has to be matched with the natural colour of the teeth before the procedure since once fixed a veneer cannot be removed.
An experienced and conscientious cosmetic dentist will follow these steps to give patient the best results.
A digital scan
A digital scan will reveal where the dental problems lie and how the veneer should be placed.
Customized veneer
Only experienced cosmetic dentists will make the veneer customized for each patient depending on his/her scan report.
Adjustments
The dentist will make any slight changes required to make the veneer look natural.
Attaching the veneer
After a shot of local anesthesia, the dentist will make slight scratches on the enamel of the teeth so that the veneers adheres better to the teeth.
Bonding
A bonding agent will be applied to the teeth and then the veneers will be attached to the teeth.
Curing the bond
After ensuring the accuracy of the placement of the veneers a special light will be used to cure the bond between the veneer and the teeth.
Final look
Once the numbness of the anesthesia wears off you will be able to check out the functionality and appearance of your smile.
What about clip-on dental veneers?
Clip-on veneers are the latest development in cosmetic dentistry. They look natural and can deal with a range of dental issues like
- Stained and yellowing teeth
- Chipped or crooked teeth
- Missing teeth or natural gaps
- Overbites or underbites
Clip-on veneers are made with 3D Cad Cam technology and allows the wearer to wear them as needed.
What can have a negative impact on dental veneers
Poor oral hygiene is a contributing factor for odd-looking veneers.
Veneers need more care than natural teeth, so do not stop brushing and flossing.
Cut down on your consumption of sugar; especially sodas, energy drinks, coffee, tea, etc.
Drink lots of water to keep your mouth and body hydrated.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in dental veneers to correct issues with your smile, talk to our team of cosmetic dentists today!
