There are so many reasons for wanting a brighter, whiter smile. Your smile is the first thing that people notice about you, and having a smile that you’re proud to show has benefits far beyond aesthetics. A straight, bright smile can help you seem more approachable and friendly, as well as actually boost your confidence levels. When looking to whiten your teeth, treatment options usually fall into two main categories﹘ whitening treatments and veneers. All whitening treatments, store-bought or in-office treatments, contain hydrogen peroxide. Some whitening methods are faster than others, but all are essentially bleaching your teeth. If you’re looking for an alternative to bleaching methods, veneers might be the way to go. Let’s take a closer look at how veneers work and their unique benefits.
What are Veneers? Veneers are thin porcelain jackets that cover the surface of teeth. Veneers were developed in the 1920s to help film stars achieve that classic, Hollywood smile, but unlike modern dental veneers, these were only temporary. Between the 1960s and 1980s, the technology that allowed veneers to adhere permanently to teeth was developed and perfected. Now, porcelain veneers are considered one of the most versatile cosmetic dentistry procedures because of their ability to provide a permanent, natural-looking result.
How Do They Work? As I said, veneers are small pieces of porcelain that slip over the surface of the tooth. Each veneer is tailored to your unique tooth size and shape to achieve the most natural look possible. The veneer is bonded to the tooth using a resin cement and an etching technique. These wonders of dental technology are resistant to cracking, chipping, and discoloration.
Faster Results. Whitening treatments can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for you to achieve the results you’re looking for. With veneers, the procedure can be done in the office, in just one sitting. You can leave the office the same day with a new, bright smile that will last much longer than typical bleaching treatments.
More Than Just Whitening. Another amazing thing about dental veneers is their versatility. They can do so much more than just give you a whiter smile. Veneers can give you the appearance of straighter teeth without ever having to undergo orthodontic treatment. For example, if a patient has gaps between his or her teeth, veneers can be shaped to fill them. Also, if you are dealing with a dead tooth, a situation in which a tooth has undergone trauma that caused the tissue inside to die, a veneer could be beneficial. Often if the root of the tooth is dead, and after a root canal has been done to prevent infection, the tooth will start to darken. You can cover the blackened tooth with a veneer to help get your smile back to normal.
Weigh Your Options. If you have a young, straight, otherwise healthy smile, bleaching treatments may do the trick. But, if you are looking to correct more than just the shade of your teeth or if you’re on a tight deadline, you may want to talk to your dentist about veneers.
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