How Veneers Can Give You a Celebrity Smile

You may think that celebrities come by their dazzling smiles easily, but the truth is, they’ve probably put in a lot of hard work to make them look that way. That means you, too, can have a dazzling set of pearly whites with the right dental treatment.

At Manteca Dental Care in Manteca, California, Dr. Rick Van Tran and our team offer dental veneers to transform your smile from dull to dazzling. Here’s what you need to know about veneers and how they can give you a celebrity smile.

What are veneers?

Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells that Dr. Tran bonds to your tooth’s front surface to change its appearance in size, shape, length, or color.

Veneers are a good choice if the imperfections are relatively minor and affect only the front surface of your teeth. Your dentist also needs to shave off less of your surface enamel than with other restoration options. 

Veneers don’t improve your oral health by themselves, but they’re resistant to both acid and decay, meaning they can help support a weakened tooth while jazzing up your smile. 

Dental veneers are usually made from either porcelain or a resin composite; both can be shaded to match the teeth around them. Porcelain, though, is often the better choice because it:

• Resists stains better
• Is stronger
• Reflects light like your natural teeth

Dental veneers are ideal for those who have cosmetic concerns and want a long-term solution but who don’t respond well to teeth whitening, orthodontia, or other possible treatments.

Veneers can also be placed fairly quickly. And if you take proper care of them (e.g., brush, floss, don’t use your teeth as a tool), most last from 10-20 years. After that, you can replace them.

What are the benefits of veneers?

Veneers provide a number of benefits, including:

Fix tooth damage and prevent further issues

Dr. Tran permanently bonds the veneer to your tooth’s surface. That allows it to seal over chips, cracks, and breaks, preventing decay-causing bacteria and food debris from reaching the inner pulp. It also strengthens weak enamel, so your tooth becomes more acid- and decay-resistant.

Fill in gaps and spaces

Gaps between your teeth are like magnets that attract plaque and debris, which create a breeding ground for bacteria. Gaps can also put undue stress on your teeth and jaw and can lead to bite misalignments. As a result, your teeth are prone to uneven wear, fractures, and even permanent loss. Veneers bridge these gaps, forming an impenetrable surface and an aligned bite.

Restore tooth color and shape

Stained and/or discolored teeth can make you self-conscious and hesitant to smile, but veneers cover up these imperfections, leaving bright, clean, natural-looking teeth. Dr. Tran can also shape the veneer so it brings a shorter tooth in line with the other teeth in your mouth.

Placing your veneers

The process to get dental veneers typically takes two office visits, one for planning and the other for placement. Planning requires determining if you’re a good candidate, based in part on a comprehensive dental exam that includes teeth cleaning and digital X-rays. Once Dr. Tran has cleared you and drawn up a treatment plan, he prepares your teeth for the veneer placement.

Dr. Tran shaves off about 0.5 mm of enamel from your tooth’s front surface so the veneer will fit snugly against your tooth. Next, he takes a digital impression of your tooth or teeth receiving the veneer(s); he sends this to an outside lab to create the actual prosthetics. The process takes about 2-3 weeks; you wear temporary veneers during this period.

At your second appointment, Dr. Tran removes your temporary veneers and places your permanent ones, making any small adjustments needed before bonding the veneers to your teeth. Once the bonding is secure, you’re good to go.

You may wonder why you should choose veneers over the multitude of teeth whitening options. Some people with tooth damage or sensitivity may not be good candidates for the whitening process, and veneers offer a long-lasting alternative. They also don’t require the same degree of maintenance or touch-ups that teeth whitening does, meaning fewer trips to your dentist’s office.

Do you have cosmetic dental issues that make you hesitant to open your mouth? Manteca Dental Care can help. To learn more about veneers, or to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Tran, give us a call at 209-823-9218 or book online today