If you’ve been self-conscious about your smile, everything from meeting new friends to taking photos with old ones can be uncomfortable. Luckily, you don’t have to live with the teeth you have, and you don’t have to wait months for orthodontics to work their magic. With veneers, you can reshape, brighten, and align your teeth all with one procedure. Use the following guide to learn more about this transformative option.

What Are Veneers?

Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth, or implants, which replace the tooth root, veneers are like custom facades for your teeth—they are only attached to the front of your smile. Often made of porcelain or resin composite, these slivers of synthetic materials are designed to look like your real teeth, only more attractive.

They can cover up a variety of flaws in your smile, from small cracks to stains to chips and size irregularities. Plus, the materials are less likely to stain in the future compared to natural teeth, so you can maintain a bright smile with less work.

What’s the Procedure Like?

First, your dentist will clean, polish, and etch the front face of each tooth. This allows the adhesive to work better and prevents the veneers from jutting out too far. This is more of a sanding down process than a complete reshaping, which is required for crowns.

Then, they’ll take a custom-designed veneer and use a cement-like bonding agent to attach it to your tooth. UV light is used to cure the adhesive, permanently fixing the veneer in place. Once every veneer is in place, your dentist will examine your smile and make any adjustments they see fit.

How Can I Take Care of Them?

Dental veneers can be treated just like your normal teeth—you should still brush twice a day and floss daily to keep them clean and avoid decay. To keep them from cracking or chipping, it’s essential to stay away from biting your nails or chewing on pens, ice, or other hard objects. In about five to 10 years, you may need to have your veneers replaced.

If you’re interested in this cosmetic procedure, turn to Christopher F. Heck, DMD - Montgomery General Dentistry. This office serves patients of all ages throughout the Montgomery, OH, area, offering everything from routine fillings to veneers and crowns. To learn more about their affordable services, visit the website and call (513) 794-1884 to make an appointment today.