If you are not satisfied with the appearance of your smile, dental veneers can be used to improve the state of your teeth. These wafer-thin, resin or porcelain materials are placed over the teeth to cover up chips, discoloring, excessive wear, gaps, and misalignments. However, as with any dental procedure, you should familiarize yourself with the process before committing.

What You Should Know Before Getting Veneers

1. They Are Semi-Permanent

Veneers are placed on teeth using special cement. Once correctly positioned, your dentist will use a special light beam to activate the chemicals in the cement and cause it to harden. This process bonds the exterior and keeps it in place for upwards of 20 years.

2. Choose a Natural White

Before the appointment to place the veneers on your teeth, you'll meet with your dentist to discuss your goals and to select the right shade of white. While you might want to choose the whitest option, this might not necessarily look natural with the rest of your appearance. Your dentist will help you match the color to your skin tone, face and smile shape, and age. 

3. Part of Your Tooth Is Shaved Off

To make room for the veneers, your dentist will need to remove roughly one-half a millimeter from the surface enamel. Doing so helps the exterior look natural and fit smoothly against your tooth. 

4. They Experience Wear

Veneers are similar to teeth and will develop chips and cracks if not well maintained. If too much damage occurs, you could shorten their lifespan. However, you can prevent this by being careful of what you bite down on and wear a mouth guard if you tend to grind your teeth in your sleep.

5. You Can Have One or Many

While you can add dental veneers to all of your teeth, this is not always necessary. If you only have one or two teeth that are causing you displeasure, your dentist can easily match the look and color of the rest of your smile.

If you'd like to boost the appearance of your smile, turn to the professionals at All Bright Dental in Mamaroneck, NY. This family and cosmetic dentistry office provides a comprehensive approach to oral healthcare. They offer a wide variety of services and use the latest technology to be able to address all of their patients' needs adequately. Call them today at (914) 698-5228 to schedule an appointment. Learn more about their dental veneers procedure and other treatment options by visiting their website.