Signs It’s Time to Consider Veneers

 Teeth are crucial for eating and speaking, and how they look affects how people see you — and how you see yourself. Something as simple as your smile actually has a psychological impact on your self-perception, as the act of doing it releases neuropeptides that help relieve stress, and you’re not as likely to do it if you don’t like how your teeth look. Smiling affects how people interact with you. If you don’t smile, people will respond to that.

You can do many things to improve the health of your teeth, but if you’re dealing with cosmetic issues that change their appearance, dental veneers are a solution to help you smile confidently and happily. Let’s review the benefits of this dental procedure by exploring what it is, how it helps, and when to determine the right time to try it.

Residents in San Leandro, Castro Valley, and Oakland, California, as well as surrounding areas, can visit Dr. Elena Davidson and her experienced staff at Davidson Dental Group for brighter teeth and confident smiles.

What are veneers?

The color of your teeth is the result of a few things: the enamel that covers and protects them; the dentin just beneath the enamel, which is usually a pale yellow or off-white color; and any substance that interacts with teeth to stain them. Veneers are thin shells that cover the surface of teeth to keep them looking their brightest.

Veneers can be made of various materials, including porcelain and composite resin, and can be placed on the back teeth. Several types of veneers are available: Palatal onlays cover back teeth; other types include removable veneers and lumineers, a thinner covering.

What do veneers treat?

This is a cosmetic treatment, designed to reduce the appearance of different forms of visual problems with teeth, including:

• Discoloration: Stains from various foods and drinks can change the color of teeth.

• Chips and cracks: Injuries can lead to cracked or chipped teeth.

• Gaps between teeth: Also called diastema, gaps can draw unwanted attention.

• Misshapen teeth: Injuries and developmental flaws can alter how teeth look.

• Small teeth: Microdontia is rare, but can lead to teeth being smaller than normal.

More serious dental problems should be addressed using other methods, but once they’re treated, we can revisit whether veneers are a good solution for you.

When should you get veneers?

As mentioned, serious dental conditions require specialized care, but veneers are a great choice for managing small gaps, stains that teeth whitening can’t remedy, mildly crooked teeth, and pointed teeth. Once we’ve fitted you with veneers, you can expect to enjoy your smile for up to 15 years, provided you maintain proper dental hygiene. However, different types of veneers last for varying lengths of time.

While they can improve your smile, veneers may not be suitable for you if you have teeth that have already lost a significant amount of enamel, struggle with bruxism (teeth grinding), or bite your nails. 

If you’re dealing with minor dental issues that other methods haven’t helped, veneers can make a big difference in how your teeth look. Call or message Davidson Dental Group to see  Dr. Davidson and brighten your smile.