Veneers: When You Need Them, When You Don’t

There’s a common myth that in order to get a veneer, your tooth has to be completely filed down to a “tiny fang,” as one of our recent patients described when giving us their impression of what they thought happened when opting for veneers. We couldn’t help but let out a chuckle (or two) at that very thought. Contrary to popular belief, it varies from case to case whether or not we even have to reduce your natural tooth structure at all. Sorry Dracula fans, no vampire teeth here.

A veneer is an aesthetic procedure, so whether or not you need a veneer really just depends on whether or not you’re comfortable with your smile as is.

The procedure is relatively simple – and ranges in scope. Sometimes we just add onto your natural tooth without having to reduce or prep your tooth at all. Other times, depending on your existing tooth structure, we may have to reduce the natural tooth a little. With the newest technologies and materials that are available, we don’t have to do traditional veneers where a sizeable amount of your natural tooth is removed prior to building your veneer.

Let’s talk about some situations where you might want to opt for a veneer:

Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth

You have a couple of options when it comes to fixing chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, and veneers are an excellent solution. If you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks with the chipped tooth, a porcelain veneer will help restore your smile and give you the extra confidence you need.

Your teeth are stained/discolored  

If you’ve tried countless whitening treatments with zero luck, your staining may go past the enamel to the dentine. If teeth whitening isn’t proving to be a suitable option for you, veneers are a great alternative to brighten up your smile.

You have a gap between your teeth

A lot of people have gaps between their teeth that they’re uncomfortable with. If you want to reduce the size of the gap between your teeth, you can either get veneers or opt for a dental bonding procedure. Compared to dental bonding, veneers are the more permanent option.

Whatever your reasoning for veneers, it’s important you talk to your dentist. We can give you the facts behind the procedure and how it will work for your teeth. Every mouth is different – and yours should be treated with the utmost in quality care. If for any reason, you are uncomfortable with your smile and want to talk about whether veneers are the right course of action for you – give us a call today. We promise no fangs.

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