Veneers, a type of cosmetic dentistry, are thin shells made of porcelain or resin that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to help improve the appearance of your teeth and help your smile appear brighter and whiter. Dental veneers can disguise a number of different imperfections, and there are many different types of veneers available depending on your specific needs.

How do they work?

In your initial appointment or consultation, your dentist will perform an examination to make sure you’re an ideal candidate for veneers. If they determine your teeth and gums are right for veneers, they will take impressions of your teeth. Those impressions will be sent to a dental lab technician, who will use them to create your custom veneers. This process can take a few weeks.

Once your veneers are ready to apply, your dentist will check the shape and color before placing them on your teeth using dental cement. They may use anesthesia for certain patients or types of veneers, but it is generally not required.

As long as you do not get anesthesia, there is no downtime for veneer placement, and patients can return to their normal daily activities and eat and drink immediately following the procedure.

What are the benefits of veneers?

Veneers are a great option for people who want to enhance their smile. They cover discoloration or stains on the surface of the teeth, disguise chipped, uneven, or broken teeth, and make teeth appear straighter and more uniform.

Although they fix the appearance of certain imperfections, if you have extensive cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease, you may not be a good candidate for veneers. A consultation with your dental provider can help you determine if veneers are right for you.

Veneers also resist staining better than your natural tooth enamel, meaning you won’t have to worry as much about the types of food and drinks you enjoy and whether they may cause discoloration.

What Are The Different Types of Veneers?

There are several different options when it comes to dental veneers. Your dentist can help you decide which is right for you based on your desired results and individual needs.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are the strongest and longest-lasting type of veneers; however, they are permanent because they require some tooth shaving before placement. The placement procedure is more lengthy and invasive, but porcelain veneers rarely injure gums and other soft tissue and give a natural-looking effect.

Composite veneers

These veneers are made of composite resin, which is a mixture of different types of organic and inorganic materials. This material is the same resin used in some tooth-colored fillings. They blend in with the natural tooth color but may stain over time.

Although the resin is strong, it is not as durable as porcelain and may not last as long. Like porcelain veneers, composite veneers are permanent.

No-prep veneers

These veneers are a less invasive option and require less enamel to be shaved off of teeth before placement. Although the placement process is quicker for no-prep veneers than other types, it will still take some time for your dentist to prepare your teeth. These are also considered to be permanent.

Removable, temporary, or snap-on veneers

These veneers are a less-expensive alternative to pricier porcelain or composite veneers but are not as natural-looking and are prone to plaque build-up, which can harm gums over time. 

How do I care for my veneers?

Veneers don’t usually require any additional maintenance, and with proper care and good hygiene practices such as regular brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing, using mouthwash, and professional dental cleanings, they can last 10 to 15 years.

If you have veneers, you should avoid biting directly into hard or crunchy foods, since these foods can damage the veneers. Instead, cut these foods up into small pieces and chew them with your back teeth.

Additionally, you should avoid whitening products, since they could scratch your veneers. But since veneers are stain-resistant, you shouldn’t need whitening products anyway!

Cosmetic Dentistry from Dr. Eric Felt

Dr. Felt serves patients in the Cottonwood Heights area of Northern Utah. In addition to cosmetic procedures like veneers and teeth whitening, his office offers many other services, including general and family dentistry, emergency dental care, pediatric dentistry, and restorative dentistry. If you’re considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure, need a professional cleaning, or need a surgical procedure such as a root canal or extraction, Eric Felt DDS can help you out! Contact us today to get started.