How Veneers Can Enhance Your Smile

Whitening treatments brighten your teeth, implants replace a missing tooth, and crowns protect your tooth, but what do veneers do? Veneers, which are available here at The Dental Center of Hercules, can do wonders for your smile. 

Below,  Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro shares the many ways veneers can enhance your smile.

Veneers correct multiple cosmetic issues

Veneers enhance your smile in many different ways. These porcelain shells can:

• Brighten your teeth (and even correct permanently stained teeth)
• Hide chipped and/or broken teeth
• Restore the appearance of front teeth that have been worn down
• Hide minor gaps between your teeth
• Restore the appearance of irregularly shaped teeth

Veneers may be ideal if you have one or more of the cosmetic goals listed above.

Veneers enhance your smile — without regular upkeep

Some cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening, require more routine maintenance. Even with professional whitening treatments, you may want touch-ups to keep your teeth dazzling. That’s because the food and drinks you consume can continue to stain your teeth. Teeth whitening can brighten your teeth by several shades, but if you want a more dramatic result, veneers might be the right fit for you. 

Veneers do not stain as easily as natural tooth enamel, which means they can brighten your smile without the need for regular whitening treatments. 

With the right care, your veneers can last anywhere from 7-20 years.

Veneers give you an all-natural smile

Your natural teeth are translucent and give off a pearly iridescence. Porcelain mimics this quality of your enamel, giving your new smile the natural glow you’re looking for.

How do veneers work?

Now that we’ve covered what veneers can do, let’s talk about how you receive veneers. The steps for receiving veneers include:

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Teodoro confirms that veneers are right for you and that they are the right solution to help you accomplish your cosmetic goals. Depending on your specific goals, Dr. Teodoro may recommend other cosmetic goals that may fit your needs better. For example, if your gap is too large to be hidden with veneers, you might benefit from Invisalign® aligners. Regardless of which cosmetic dentistry services you need, Dr. Teodoro guides you through each step of the process.

Tooth prep

Once you’re decided on veneers, the next step is to prepare your teeth to receive the veneers. To prepare your teeth, a small amount of enamel is removed from your teeth. This gives space for your veneers and provides a surface for the veneers to firmly adhere.

Take impressions

We take physical impressions so that your veneers are crafted from a mold of your exact teeth. This ensures that your veneers fit perfectly on your natural teeth.

Placing your new veneers

Once your veneers are ready, it’s time to seat (i.e., place) them. Your veneers are securely attached to your natural teeth with special cement. 

Taking care of your veneers

Veneers are not removable, so there’s no need to fuss with removing and replacing them. They are securely attached and easy to clean. You can simply brush your teeth as you normally would with an ADA-approved toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Ready for a new smile?

Thinking about veneers? Dr. Teodoro schedules consultations at our Hercules, California, office so you can explore all of your cosmetic dental options. You can reach us at 510-254-3328 or through our online booking system.