How Do Veneers Work?

A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that cosmetic dentists place on top of your teeth in order to achieve a certain aesthetic effect.  Think of veneers as similar, in some ways, to a contact lens – a thin layer of material used to augment and improve a natural look or function.

There are different types of veneers, applied via different methods that help you achieve a better-looking smile. But all dental veneers work by concealing and covering flaws and damage in the following ways:

Building up of tooth-colored resin  - Resin veneers camouflage cracks, chips, and deep staining on teeth by way of building up a composite material that looks just like your real teeth. Your cosmetic dentist “paints” this material on your teeth, with the result being teeth that look flawless and damage-free.

Covering natural teeth – What most people know as veneers are the thin shells made of porcelain, as described above.  Your dentist will buff down a small amount of tooth enamel so that the shell lays flush on your teeth and doesn’t looker thicker than any of your surrounding natural teeth.

There are also “no-prep” veneers that work the same way as regular veneers, by covering up flaws on teeth; however, the “no-prep” style of veneers are typically thinner and require either buffing down a smaller amount of dental enamel, or none.  After preparing your teeth, veneers are bonded in place with strong dental cement.

Veneers can help you achieve a whitening effect for your smile, and can even make teeth look straighter, if you’re struggling with mild crowding or gaps between teeth.  Many cosmetic dentists will work with you to help you pick a desired shade for your teeth, especially if you’re getting veneers on all of the top teeth in your smile zone.  Because veneers are bonded in place, they can last for many years with proper care.

If you have questions about how veneers can help you cover damaged teeth, or disguise flaws on teeth, contact Hillcrest Dental Group today for your cosmetic dentistry consultation.  We customize treatment to fit your needs, as well as your goals for an improved smile.