Whether you have broken teeth, gaps, or permanent tooth discoloration, veneers are an easy and affordable way to enhance your smile. At Skyview Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, our skilled dental team can use veneers to get your smile photo-ready for the holidays.
How veneers can improve your smile
Veneers are shells of porcelain or resin-composite material that resembles a tooth. We use these thin, custom-made shells to conceal problems with a single tooth -- or many -- which improves the appearance of your smile.
This versatile approach can correct several dental problems, such as:
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Gaps or uneven spacing
- Smaller-than-average teeth
- Unusually shaped or pointy teeth
- Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
Sometimes we can even use a dental veneer to repair a damaged tooth instead of a crown or cap. Veneers make it easy to fix these issues, and we can typically transform your smile in two simple office visits.
Preparing for veneers
During your first consultation, we discuss your dental concerns, inspect your teeth, and evaluate your oral health to ensure veneers are a good solution. Then we prepare your tooth and make your veneer.
To prepare each tooth for a veneer, we remove a tiny amount of enamel -- less than half a millimeter -- from the front of your tooth. This step creates space for the veneer so that it fits comfortably and doesn’t add bulk to your tooth. You don’t have to worry about any discomfort during this stage because we administer a local anesthetic before buffing begins.
After preparing your tooth, we take an impression to send to our off-site dental lab. They use this mold to make your veneer.
Getting your veneers
When your customized veneer is ready, you return to our office for your fitting. During this appointment, we make final adjustments to ensure a comfortable and natural fit, then bond it to your tooth. After the dental cement hardens, your new smile is complete.
There’s no recovery time when you get veneers, so you can eat and chew normally after your appointment. Veneers offer immediate results, but they’re also easy to care for; just brush, floss, and schedule regular professional cleanings as if they were your natural teeth. With the proper care, your new veneers should last 10-15 years. To extend the life of your veneers, we recommend avoiding:
- Chewing on hard objects, like fingernails, pens, or ice
- Opening packages with your teeth
- Using your front teeth to bite or chew
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
You should also wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth if you play sports.
There’s still time to shape up your smile for the holidays. Schedule an appointment by calling 704-632-7700 or by booking online today.