How Do Veneers Work?

Dental veneers can quickly and efficiently improve the appearance of your smile. Whether your teeth are chipped, gapped, or discolored, veneers can cover multiple aesthetic issues simultaneously.

The Veneer Process

A dental veneer is a slender sheet of tooth-colored material that wraps around the forward-facing surface of your tooth. Your dentist custom designs each veneer to fit your teeth perfectly.

Getting dental veneers is straightforward and usually takes only two appointments. During the first veneer appointment, your dentist will take digital impressions to capture each tooth's natural shape and curve. The dentist then prepares the teeth by removing a slim layer of natural enamel. After another set of impressions, you will go home with temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth.

When the veneers arrive from the dental lab, your dentist will check them for the perfect fit and adjust them if needed. To complete the process, the dentist cements the veneers into place.

Types of Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain has the natural shine and luster of healthy tooth enamel. It is naturally stain-resistant and creates a beautiful appearance. With excellent care, porcelain veneers last about five to 15 years.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are more affordable and customizable than porcelain. The material is more prone to stains than porcelain but retains its beauty when patients maintain oral hygiene. Composite veneers tend to last between five to seven years.

Benefits of Veneers

One-Step Aesthetic Correction

Veneers can correct multiple problems in one easy step:

• Gapped teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Misshapen teeth

Low Maintenance

Veneers require little maintenance beyond excellent home oral care and regular dental visits.

Stain-Resistant

Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, keeping your smile looking brighter longer.

Keeping Your Veneers Attractive

If you have veneers, you must exercise caution when eating hard foods. You may chip a veneer if you eat nuts and hard candy. Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages or hold objects, and do not chew ice or fingernails.

If you have composite veneers, avoid staining foods and beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine, or sip them with a straw. Brush and floss as soon as possible if you partake in these foods.

Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers

Are veneers permanent?

Veneers are not permanent, but due to the preparation process, you must continue replacing them as they wear out. After the dentist removes a layer of tooth enamel to place the veneers, they cannot replace it.

Are veneers painful?

Your dentist will use a local anesthetic during the preparation process for a painless appointment. Veneers may feel odd when installed, but you will quickly become accustomed to them.

Call Springfield Healthy Smiles

If dental veneers interest you, please call our Springfield, VA, office at 703-866-7000. We can schedule a cosmetic consultation and explain how veneers can help you feel confident in your appearance.