Are there things about your smile that you wish you could change? Do these imperfections make you self-conscious or prevent you from smiling as often as you would like to? If so, you are not alone. In fact, a recent study cited in the New York Post found that as many as 61% of Americans wished they could change things about their smiles. Not only that, but teeth were determined to be the number one source of facial insecurity placing above other facial features such as eyes, lips, eyebrows, and nose.
When it comes to the things that people wish they could change about their teeth, color, spacing, and alignment were some of the top factors. Another one was to correct receding gums that can make the teeth appear larger than normal. Luckily, there are a variety of cosmetic dental treatments that can address these cosmetic concerns. There is even a single cosmetic treatment that can address all these concerns at once.
Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are adhered to the front side of visible teeth. They are custom fabricated for the individual in a dental laboratory from the finest dental materials. Veneers are a minimally invasive way to completely change the entire look of your smile. Here are some of the ways that veneers can change your smile:
Size and Shape
The appearance of each individual tooth contributes to the look of your smile. When certain teeth are uneven in size or shape, or are oddly shaped, this can create a less than perfect smile. In these cases, your veneers will be fabricated to even out the size and shape of each individual tooth so that the resulting smile is much more visually pleasing.
Repairs Damage
Veneers can also be used to repair minor damage that negatively affects the look of your smile. One of the most common damages that veneers are used to repair are minor chips in the teeth. In some cases, veneers can also be used to repair superficial cracks.
Color
The color of your teeth can also be improved by having veneers placed, especially if you have stubborn stains that have not responded to teeth whitening treatments. When having a smile makeover, your veneers will be fabricated in a lighter color which will make your smile look whiter and brighter once they are placed. In cases where only a single veneer is being placed, however, you may elect to use the same color as your natural teeth so that the veneer will blend with the surrounding teeth.
Spacing and Alignment
Veneers can also address problems with spacing and alignment. One of the most common spacing complaints are gaps between the teeth. By fabricating your veneers slightly wider than your natural teeth, these gaps can easily be filled. Veneers can also be used on crooked, overlapping teeth in order to make them appear straight and evenly spaced. However, keep in mind that veneers only conceal the problem and do not actually change the structure of your teeth.
Less Tooth Sensitivity
While tooth sensitivity is not a visual change, it is still a welcomed change for many people with sensitive teeth. After having veneers placed, your teeth will essentially have a secondary protective layer. This means that your natural tooth structure is protected from the hot, cold, or sweet stimulus that are responsible for causing tooth sensitivity. With veneers, you may be able to enjoy hot tea or ice cream without the deep act of tooth sensitivity.