Gemini Dental

Dental veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They’re often made from porcelain or resin-composite materials and are permanently bonded to your teeth.

Veneers can be used to treat a number of different cosmetic concerns, including chipped, broken, discolored, or smaller-than-average teeth.

Some people may only get one veneer in the case of a broken or chipped tooth, but many get between six to eight veneers in order to create an even, symmetrical smile. The top front eight teeth are the most commonly applied veneers.

With reasonable precautions, dental veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. While you can eat almost anything you like, it is important to exercise reasonable precautions because dental veneers are not indestructible.

Smoking can stain the composite material that attaches the veneers to the tooth.

Veneers do not stain as easily as your natural tooth enamel; however, they can still become discolored over time. Surface stains can develop after prolonged exposure to highly pigmented drinks such as red wine and dark coffee.

Other occurrences that can lead to discolored veneers are:

Your Age. As we age, our gums recede, leaving the spots where the veneer meets the tooth exposed. This can cause little brown lines on your teeth because the veneers are bonded into place, and that composite is now showing. Foods and beverages dark in color have the potential for staining your exposed enamel, and gum recession cannot be reversed.

The Age of Your Veneers. Veneers that were made over 20 years ago may not be made with porcelain. It was common for veneers to be made with plastic or more porous porcelain that is not as durable as the ones dental professionals use today.

Trauma or Damage If your tooth experienced an injury that caused the dentin, or the tooth’s inner tissue, to incur damage, the tooth could become discolored. Damaged dentin turns yellow, making the veneer appear discolored when it is the natural tooth underneath that is causing the appearance of discoloration.

When you have healthy teeth and cosmetic concerns, such as chips, gaps, or stains, veneers are a great choice. However, for more severe problems, such as bone loss, gum recession, or missing teeth, Gemini Dental recommends dental implants.

Some common reasons that individuals choose veneers is to close gaps and spaces between the teeth, fix alignment issues, change the overall shape and appearance of a tooth, whiten a smile by covering stained or discolored teeth, and cover chipped or cracked teeth.