Do you feel like you need a brighter and better smile? Then veneers might be the solution for you. Veneers are tooth-like shells that are installed on the visible parts of your teeth to correct undesirable features. Veneers are made from either porcelain or composite resin materials. They are used to remedy several cosmetic issues like color, shape, and the size of teeth.

Veneers are mainly cosmetic, and they cannot replace natural teeth. Furthermore, dental veneers are permanent so you cannot reverse the procedure. Getting Veneers is a big decision, so we compiled some key information to help you determine if this procedure is right for you.

Who Should Get Dental Veneers?

Discolored teeth result from a root canal, prolonged use of some medicine (tetracycline), and excessive fluoride. If you do not like the color of your teeth, you can whiten them by getting veneers. Veneers are so similar to natural teeth that it is difficult to tell the difference.

Veneers are used to fix broken teeth. You can consider getting veneers for your chipped or broken teeth, especially if the teeth are very visible and make you uncomfortable. It is possible to get veneers only for the affected teeth which are visible if you do not want to cover all your teeth.

Veneers also can be used to enlarge your teeth if you feel like they are smaller than usual. Veneers can help you achieve your desired teeth size and symmetry so you can smile with confidence.

Veneers are also used by people with wide gaps in their teeth. If you do not like that your teeth have a noticeable gap between them, you can get veneers to close the space between the affected teeth.

When to Avoid Veneers

There is no age limit for getting veneers, but dentists recommend the age of 16 for females and 18 for male patients as a matter of practice.

You should avoid getting veneers if you have unhealthy teeth. Dentists will usually carry out an oral health examination prior to clearing a patient to get veneers. The oral health exam is carried out to check for tooth decay or active gum disease. These issues might affect the outcome of the veneers or lead to infections. If you have oral health issues, you should treat them first before getting veneers. Here are a few reasons veneers might not be right for you:

●    If your teeth are weakened due to decay, fracture, or large dental fillings

●    If you barely have any enamel left on the surface of your teeth

●    If you grind your teeth, veneers can only last if you get a splint or retainer to protect them from breaking or chipping.

Finally, veneers are not a good option if you have a history of dental trauma that led to extreme damage to the teeth. Implanting veneers on extremely damaged teeth might cause pain or infection. We recommend contacting a dental professional to ensure veneers are the best option for you.

How Can You Get Veneers?

Getting veneers is the best way to correct features that you do not like about your teeth. They are almost identical to teeth and they last a long time. You can have them customized in terms of color, shape, and size to fit your preferences. Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains and are tolerated well by the gums. For many, veneers are a great option to improve your confidence and feel better about your smile.

Looking to learn more about veneers? Reach out to us at Gateway Family Dentistry to see if veneers are right for you.