Versatile Veneers: The Perfect Cover-up for Common Smile Flaws

Maybe your teeth are discolored. Or, maybe you’ve got a couple of chips. Or, maybe one is shorter than all the teeth around it. If you have these or other common smile flaws, there’s a simple solution to your woes: dental veneers.

At Eric Klein DDS & Associates, Dr. Klein and his team offer dental veneers for their patients in and around Norwalk, Connecticut, who want to correct any of a number of smile flaws. Here’s what the team wants you to know about veneers and why they may be your best cover-up option.

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are whisper-thin, custom-made shells that Dr. Klein bonds to your tooth’s front surface to change its size, shape, length, or color.

Veneers are a good choice if your tooth imperfections are relatively minor and affect only the front surface. They also require less shaving of the surface enamel to place than other restoration options. Veneers don’t improve your oral health by themselves, but they’re resistant to both acid and decay, meaning they can help support a weakened tooth while jazzing up your smile. 

Dental veneers can be made from either porcelain or a resin composite, both of which can be shaded to match the teeth around them. Porcelain is often the better choice because it:

• Resists stains better
• Is stronger
• Has light-reflecting properties like your natural teeth

Dental veneers are ideal for patients who want a long-term solution to cosmetic dental concerns but don’t respond well to treatments such as teeth whitening or orthodontia. They’re also generally less expensive than other tooth restoration options, and they can be placed fairly quickly. If you take proper care of them (e.g. brushing, flossing, not using your teeth as a tool), most last from 10 to 20 years. After that, you can get them replaced.

What are the benefits of veneers?

Veneers can solve a number of dental problems, including:

Fix tooth damage and prevent further problems

Dr. Klein permanently bonds the veneer to the tooth’s surface, meaning it can seal over chips, cracks, and breaks. It can also help prevent decay-causing bacteria and food debris from reaching the inner pulp, and it strengthens weak enamel, making the tooth more acid- and decay-resistant.

Fill in gaps and spaces

Gaps between your teeth attract plaque and debris, thereby serving as breeding grounds for bacteria. Gaps can also lead to bite misalignments and undue stress on the teeth and jaw. This leads to uneven wear, tooth fractures, and even tooth loss. By bridging the gap, veneers provide a strong and impenetrable tooth surface and an aligned bite.

Restore tooth color and shape

Stained and discolored teeth can make you self-conscious, but veneers cover up those stains, brightening your smile. Among its other qualities, porcelain resists common staining sources, so your teeth look dazzling. Dr. Klein can also shape a veneer to bring a shorter tooth even with the other teeth in your mouth.

Placing your veneers

The planning and placement process to get dental veneers typically takes two office visits. If you’re interested in the treatment, our team recommends you come in for a consultation to determine whether you’re a good candidate.

Planning for veneer placement requires you to first get a comprehensive dental exam, including a teeth cleaning and digital X-rays. Once Dr. Klein has drawn up a treatment plan, he prepares your teeth to receive the veneers.

First, he shaves off about 0.5 mm of enamel from the tooth’s surface to allow the veneer to fit snugly against your tooth. Next, he takes digital impressions of the prepared teeth, which he sends to a lab to create the veneers. The manufacturing process takes about 2-3 weeks, during which you wear temporary veneers.

When you come in for the second appointment, Dr. Klein removes your temporary veneers and places the permanent ones. He may make a few small adjustments before bonding the veneers to your teeth. Once the veneers are bonded, you’re good to go.

If your teeth are stained or discolored, you may wonder why you should choose veneers over teeth whitening. If you have tooth damage or sensitivity, you may not be a good candidate for whitening, and veneers are a long-lasting alternative. They also don’t require maintenance or touch-ups like teeth whitening does, so you may appreciate not having to come into the office as frequently.

To learn more about dental veneers, or to schedule a consultation with our team, call Eric Klein DDS & Associates at 203-849-8633, or book online with us today.