Dental veneers help patients achieve a picture-perfect smile. However, these wafer-thin shells go over the natural teeth, which begs the question: Are dental veneers comfortable? When installed correctly, veneers feel just like your real teeth. In this article, we will explore veneers, how they work, and how they manage to feel and look natural.
Veneers help fix cosmetic imperfections on the teeth, such as discoloration, minor chips, and short teeth. For this reason, the dentist typically uses veneers to repair the top front teeth. Patients can get a single veneer or veneers for multiple teeth.
The two types of traditional veneers include porcelain and composite resin. To install traditional veneers, the dentist must grind down the teeth. Since they will remove the first and second layers of the teeth (enamel and dentin, respectively), the procedure is irreversible and permanent. However, the veneers only need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years.
There are also porcelain veneers that require minimal preparation. These no-prep veneers only require some of the tooth enamel to be removed. This makes the application process faster than that of traditional veneers. What is more, dentists typically do not need to use a local anesthetic to apply no-prep veneers.
Applying traditional dental veneers requires two appointments. In the first appointment, the dentist will grind down the problem teeth and take an impression of them. This impression will ensure the veneers are the correct size for the patient in a lab off-site. This may take up to two weeks. In the meantime, the dentist will fit temporary veneers onto the affected teeth. The dentist will cement the permanent veneers during the second appointment.
Dental veneers ultimately look and feel like natural teeth. This is because the natural teeth have been ground down, and the veneers are cemented on the surface. Veneers also function just like real teeth. Additionally, patients report feeling no difference when eating or talking, although they tend to report increased confidence when smiling.
Taking care of dental veneers is much like taking care of regular teeth. The only difference is that veneers must be replaced every 10 to 20 years. Otherwise, good dental hygiene should suffice. Brush the veneers twice a day, just like natural teeth; use fluoridated toothpaste for best results. Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily is also recommended to maintain oral health. As is necessary for natural teeth, visit the dentist every six months for a veneer checkup. The dentist can complete this checkup as part of the patient’s routine teeth cleaning.
Veneers may need to be replaced early if they become cracked, chipped, or stained. Wear a mouthguard while playing sports to prevent chipping and cracking. Nightguards can help protect veneers for those who grind their teeth while sleeping. To prevent staining, drink coffee, tea, and red wine only in moderation — or brush the veneers immediately following consumption.
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