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What Are Dental Veneers and How Can They Help Your Smile?

It’s natural for people with a healthy smile to want to show it off. Unfortunately, not everyone has been blessed with a perfect, all-natural smile. But there are a lot of options to fix dental issues, such as chipped, discoloured or crooked teeth, and one of the most popular choice is porcelain or composite resin veneers.

Here’s what they are and what they can do for you if you’re looking for a way to make your smile sparkle.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are wafer-thin customized shells designed to cover the front surfaces of your existing teeth for a smile makeover. These shells are tooth-colored and can change the size, shape, and length of your teeth. Compared to cosmetic bonding, dental veneers can last longer and provide a superior appearance.

Porcelain veneers are designed from ceramic layers, which are better at resisting discoloration and stains and have a more natural-looking appearance. During the procedure, your dentist will create space for the veneers by removing a thin layer of your existing tooth enamel. A mold of your teeth will be made to customize a set of veneers fitted for your mouth. Before your veneers are ready, temporary ones can be placed to replace the detached tooth portion.

During your next visit, the cosmetic dentist will remove the temporary set and place a mild substance on the teeth to roughen the surface, ensuring the veneer attaches to the existing tooth properly. Using a special bonding agent, the dentist attaches the permanent veneers one at a time.

Unlike porcelain, composite resin veneers can be placed in a single visit to the cosmetic dentist. The procedure is similar to the porcelain veneer option, in that the dentist will roughen the surface of your natural teeth to ensure the composite veneers affixes properly. Using a bright light, the bonding agent is solidified and then the dentist polishes the veneer to provide the patient with a natural looking smile.

Who do People Choose Dental Veneers?

Most people get dental veneers:

  • To fix chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth
  • To whiten stained teeth
  • To correct irregular, gaps, misshapen, or uneven teeth’
  • To strengthen and protect teeth, particularly when you have had several root canal treatments
  • As an alternative to braces when correcting misaligned teeth
  • To correct worn down teeth (from excessive grinding)

Benefits of dental veneers

The benefits of dental veneers include:

  • They can match tooth color perfectly
  • All dental cosmetic procedures should be unnoticeable. The veneers are designed carefully to match the natural color of your teeth.
  • The provide a customized fit
  • Recovery time is short
  • They last a long time, and in some cases your dentist can repair them just like a normal tooth
  • They’re easy to take care of. Treat them like natural teeth with regular brushing and flossing

How Do I Choose a Dentist for Dental Veneers?

When performed by a qualified cosmetic dentist, your dental veneers will not only last longer but also achieve a natural look. You should be highly selective when choosing a veneer specialist to ensure the procedure produces the results you want to see.

You’ll want to consider the following factors:

Experience With Veneer Procedures

Ask your dentist how many veneers they’ve fixed — the more, the better. Many dentists have galleries of the past cosmetic work, which you should take a closer look at. Veneers are all about detail and appearance, and before-and-after pictures will show you exactly what you can expect from your procedure.

What’s Their Approach to Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental veneers treatment is more likely to be successful when the practitioner takes an artistic approach to the dentistry. The dental technology used can also impact the procedure. For example, intraoral cameras and digital x-rays can give more accurate molding images than traditional or manual techniques.

How do They Interact With Patients

The cosmetic dentist should have good chairside manners. Veneers are completely personalized restoration that will have a significant impact on your smile and appearance. It’s vital that you choose a practitioner that you’re comfortable with and who welcomes your input to make you an active participant in the procedure.

The Ceramist

Ultimately, the veneer result depends on top-quality fabrication. Thus, you should ask the dentist about the dental lab or ceramist they work with. Choose a dentist who works with top-rated craftspeople.

Porcelain veneers, crowns or bridges are the perfect way to protect teeth that are broken down. At East River Dental, you can expect the entire veneer process to take between 2 to 4 weeks, from initial consultation to veneer application. We’re proud to use the most advanced technology, provide flexibility for convenient bookings, and a welcoming and friendly staff committed to ensuring you’re as comfortable as possible during your procedure.

You deserve to smile with confidence. Call us at 905 895 8031 to learn more about East River Dental’s cosmetic dentistry procedures.

What to Look For When Choosing A Dental Services Provider

It’s important to establish a high standard of dental hygiene, especially considering poor oral health is linked to chronic conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. A crucial part of that process is finding a dental services provider for regular visits (every six months) that makes you feel comfortable and deliver quality care.

There’s a number of options you need to consider when picking a dentist, but most importantly, you want to find someone who is committed to taking your dental needs seriously and putting their patients before themselves.

You want a dentist that:

  • Wants to develop a relationship with you
  • Listens to you
  • Informs you of best service options
  • Is confident in his/her treatment planning

Here are some factors that you should take into account when choosing a dental services provider.

How Experienced is Your Potential Dental Care Provider?

Experience is vital to oral healthcare services. In many cases, the more experienced a dentist is, the better the results will be. Ask the dentist the number of patients he or she has handled with a condition similar to yours. For example, if you have dental anxiety, ask them about the approaches and techniques they use to treat other anxious patients.

What Dentistry Areas does the Clinic Specialize In?

Do some research to identify the different areas of dentistry that your service provider might specialize in. There are dentists who have continued their education to specialize in prosthodontics (dentures), oral surgery (extractions), periodontics (gum care and surgery), endodontics (root canals), orthodontics (braces), pediatrics (children), and implants. Always choose a provider who does more than just general dentistry.

How Up-to-date is the Clinic’s Technology?

Over the years, general dentistry has seen a proliferation of technological advancements that have improved quality of dental care dramatically. Therefore, you should inquire about the tools and technology a dental clinic is using before committing to becoming a patient.

Does the Dentist Accommodate Dental Emergencies?

Keep in mind that your dentist can’t be everywhere at anytime, so if he or she is out of town, they should have a referring dentist for you to see.

Reputation Means a Lot

Check to ensure that your would-be dentist has an excellent reputation and doesn’t have any suspicious claims brought against him or her.
You should also search for online reviews and testimonials to see the previous patients’ experiences as well as their satisfaction rates.

The Clinical staff

Besides oral care, a dental clinic make you feel comfortable and taken care of. During your first visit, note how the staff treats yourself and the other patients. Choose a clinic with a friendly, empathetic, and responsive staff that provide an efficient appointment process and pleasant interactions. Also make sure to confirm whether or not their billing process accepts your insurance plan.

The Bottom Line

Oral healthcare plays a vital role in your overall health and lifestyle. At East River Dental, we pride ourselves in offering our patients, new and old, the best possible dental care. Using state-of-the-art technology, our expertly trained and experienced staff is committed to your health and safety. We’re open 7 days a week and accommodate dental emergencies.

Call today at 905 895 8031 to book a consultation and join hundreds of other satisfied clients in the Newmarket area.