Straight teeth are aesthetically pleasing and come with a range of oral health benefits. When teeth aren’t crowded, crooked, or too far apart, they are much easier to clean and less likely to be injured by food debris, uneven chewing pressure, or grinding. While you may think that orthodontic treatments are the only way to address dental misalignments, the truth is that veneers can be an excellent way to straighten teeth in minor cases. Here’s a brief guide to how veneers can help you achieve a beautifully straight smile.
How Can Veneers Straighten a Smile?
In some cases of mild dental misalignment, veneers can reshape teeth so they align properly while also addressing a host of cosmetic defects such as cracks, chips, gaps, and stains. While orthodontic treatment with clear aligners can take months to complete and traditional metal braces can take years, veneers can be placed in as few as two appointments, earning them the nickname of “instant orthodontics.”
How Do Veneers Work?
It usually takes at least two appointments to place veneers. During the first, your dentist will begin by using a local anesthetic to numb your mouth before removing a tiny amount of enamel from your teeth. They will then take impressions of the treated teeth and place a set of temporary veneers upon them. You will then be sent on your way to get used to wearing veneers while a skilled technician crafts your permanent set at a lab.
You’ll come back to your dentist’s office when your permanent veneers are completed about two weeks later. During this appointment, your dentist will remove your temporary veneers and cement the permanent set on your teeth.
What Benefits Do Veneers Offer?
Veneers can completely transform a smile into a beautiful new state by reshaping teeth and concealing damage and defects with thin porcelain shells that mimic the ideal appearance of natural tooth structure. Some other benefits of veneers include:
- Eliminating the need for uncomfortable metal wires and brackets.
- Treatment is minimally invasive and can be completed in as few as two appointments.
- Not requiring dietary restrictions.
- These durable and stain-resistant appliances are low maintenance and only require a standard daily oral hygiene regimen of brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash.
- With excellent care, veneers can last for up to fifteen years before needing replacement.
Veneers can be an excellent way to beautifully transform your smile. Consulting with your dentist can determine if these thin porcelain shells can be used to correct your alignment issues.
About the Author
Dr. Sienna Palmer earned her dental degree at the Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California and stays up to date with the latest developments in her field by participating in continuing education courses. She proudly serves as a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her office in Mission Viejo, CA, offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as veneers. To book a consultation for veneers, contact her online or dial (949) 365-0951.