Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetic Dentist | Are you embarrassed about chipped, crooked, or are stained teeth? Then you should strongly consider enhancing your smile with dental veneers.
Veneers are thin covers that your cosmetic dentist attaches to the front of existing teeth for cosmetic improvement.
When it comes to dental veneers, there are two basic types: composite and porcelain. Each type of veneer comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Learn more about dental veneers and contact our cosmetic dentist today!
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers offer quite a few benefits in enhancing your smile, including:
- Changing tooth color: It is normal for adults to have some degree of discoloration, often due to lifestyle decisions like drinking coffee or tea, smoking, and anitibiotics. Unfortunately, over-the-counter whitening treatments are ineffective for most people. That’s why consulting with a cosmetic dentist is best to learn what treatments are most effective for your smile.
- Alter teeth shape: Your teeth may be too short or too small, leading to feelings of self-consciousness. Veneers can help to recontour your smile and even out natural differences.
- Repair chips: Veneers can help repair small chips in your teeth. In fact, many patients consult with a cosmetic dentist about chipped teeth.
- Enhance alignment: Veneers can help to straighten your teeth without braces in some cases. They can also remove gaps and correct irregular or misaligned teeth.
Composite Veneers
You can probably receive composite veneers in only one office visit. Your dentist will prepare the surface of your tooth by roughening it with acid to improve veneer adhesion. Next, they will place a type of dental glue on your teeth.
Your cosmetic dentist will place and sculpt the composite material directly onto your teeth, artfully sculpting it into the desired shape.
A special light hardens the material. Finally, your tooth will be carefully polished once you are happy with its appearance.
Porcelain Veneers
In general, porcelain veneers take a bit longer to complete because a laboratory must craft them before placement, which can take around two weeks.
After removing some of the surface of your tooth, your dentist will make an impression of your tooth that is used to make a mold for the construction of your veneers. As a result, you may receive temporary veneers at this time until your permanent ones are ready.
At a subsequent appointment, your dentist will actually place your porcelain veneers using a special dental adhesive. The entire process may take an hour or two, depending upon how many teeth require treatment. Your cosmetic dentist will provide more insight on your unique treatment.
Composite: Pros and Cons
The main benefit of composite veneers is that they are relatively inexpensive. However, they are not as cosmetically effective as porcelain and will not last as long. In some cases, composite veneers can be prepared without removing any tooth enamel, making the treatment completely reversible.
Learn More
Contact our cosmetic dentist to learn more about dental veneers. Our office offers state-of-the-art cosmetic dental technology. New patients are welcome. Call (703) 273-5545 or request an appointment online.