One of the first things people notice about someone is their smile. Because of this, it’s easy to feel self-conscious about your smile. You may not even be aware of your lack of confidence due to your teeth. Have you ever held your hand in front of your mouth when smiling or laughing? Do your selfies and photos include a big, toothy grin or usually have a closed mouth? If these are habits because of being embarrassed about your smile, it may be worth exploring the options of veneers.
We know your teeth may affect your confidence levels. At Gentle Dental Vancouver, we want to help. Not just for actors and models, veneers may also help restore confidence in your smile. Many people with damaged, crooked, or discolored teeth don’t smile at all.
The beauty of veneers is they cover up stained, chipped, or broken teeth. However, veneers are a permanent solution, so Gentle Dental Vancouver wants you to decide what’s right for you. Medical News Today suggests that veneers are a viable option if teeth whitening, braces, or retainers have not worked in the past for you.
What are Veneers
Wafer-thin, veneers are tough little shells bonded to the front of your teeth (on the surface). Veneers look as natural as the rest of your teeth, with additional aesthetic beauty. Most teeth veneers, made of porcelain, are translucent. With this sheer quality, the veneers subtly match the rest of your teeth, creating a natural look.
Here are the three main things we think about when providing veneers:
- Color
- Size & shape
- Alignment & spacing
Teeth Color
Life may be hard on your teeth; including the food and drinks we consume. While veneers offer a more permanent method of tooth whitening, the shade of your veneers is matched to the rest of your smile. This natural shade isn’t left up to chance either. Working with your dentist, we’ll choose the right shade that blends with your other teeth. We don’t want your veneers showing up the rest of your teeth! After all, veneers are an enhancement. In 1928, Dr. Charles Pincus decided to give his entertainer clients a fantastic option; the tooth veneer was born.
Size & Shape
Teeth come in a variety of shapes and sizes, even within your mouth. Have you ever noticed women’s teeth tend to be on the rounder side? Not only matching the color but matching the shape of your teeth to look good with your face shape adds to the customizing of your new smile. As with every single step of your veneer design process, you’ll always have the final decision on your look.
Alignment & Spacing
Whether braces didn’t work out for you, or maybe they weren’t a viable option. Minor cosmetic corrections like spacing may be corrected with veneers.
Why Veneers
Of course, we all want a beautiful smile. Veneers offer the option to whiten your teeth, cover up minor cosmetic issues, and replace damaged tooth enamel.
There are financial considerations too. Discuss with your dentist what the options are to make the right choice for you. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) reminds us that “you cannot reverse the treatment,” so you want to make sure it’s the right decision for you.
Veneer Options
The Canadian Dental Association suggests considering veneers if you face the following:
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Decayed tooth/teeth
Keep in mind, if you’re considering veneers because of tooth decay or gum disease, the Canadian Dental Association reminds us that “these problems must be treated first.” Only then are veneers a possibility.
Veneer Care
Two factors make veneers easy to care for long-term:
- They’re permanently bonded to your teeth. There aren’t risks of them popping off or causing discomfort.
- For the most part, veneers are stain-resistant. Gentle Dental Vancouver recommends avoiding high staining foods and drinks like coffee or red wine. It only prolongs the shiny nature of your new veneers.
Things to Think About Before Considering Veneers
According to the Canadian Dental Association, “if a tooth has little enamel left,” veneers aren’t a viable option. In addition, the CDA explains that “a veneer will not stick to it properly.”
Suppose you’ve got teeth grinding or clenching habits. Be cautious and talk with your dentist about whether veneers are the best choice. The CDA reiterates that these habits are “called bruxism and can chip or break porcelain veneers.”
We’ve explored your veneer options: making them to fit your teeth color, the shape of your face, even helping bring those spaces together. Call (604) 757-7659 to schedule a consultation today.