What are Veneers? They’re the Stuff Movie Star Smiles are Made Of…

No matter how gorgeous a dress looks on the red carpet, a celebrity without the picture-perfect smile can stick like a mismatched pair of earrings. While having a movie star smile used to only be available to the most rich and famous in Hollywood, that’s not the case anymore. Now just about anybody can have drop-dead gorgeous teeth, thanks to modern dental veneers. The Technical Stuff: A veneer is a thin layer of white porcelain that your dentist bonds to the front of your tooth. It can be customized to match any shade, shape, or size. Essentially, veneers hide the smile behind them. When you have several placed across the front of your mouth, it looks like you have a brand-new set of teeth. Made of high quality porcelain, your new veneers can last for several years when you take care of them properly. “Instant Braces” Veneers are sometimes called “instant braces.” Why? Because they can be used to hide crooked teeth or gaps between them. Rather than wearing braces for 12, 18, or 24 months, you can have a straighter looking smile in just two or three appointments. The Treatment Process To get veneers, your dentist will need to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. Your consultation might involve an impression being taken and sent off to the lab. If necessary, your dentist would use this to do what is called a diagnostic wax-up, which allows you to preview what your new teeth will look like. The consultation phases are tailored to help you plan out what you want your results to look like…down to the very color and hue of the porcelain. The first treatment appointment is the “preparation” visit. Your dentist will remove a very thin layer of your enamel so that the new veneers don’t make your teeth look too bulky. Then your dentist will take another impression and place temporary, protective veneers over your teeth. About two weeks later, your permanent veneers will be ready to bond into place. Once you look in the mirror, you’ll be shocked at just how life-changing the cosmetic treatment can be. Consider Investing in a New Smile Having beautiful teeth can work wonders when it comes to your self-esteem. You would be surprised at the personality changes that take place when someone feels embarrassed by their teeth and then suddenly has a smile they can’t wait to show off. It’s not just an investment in your appearance, it’s an investment in your future and quality of life. Find out if getting dental veneers is an option for you by visiting with one of the Houston dentists at Summit Dental Center. You can weigh options like teeth whitening, porcelain crowns, veneers, braces and more. If you think veneers aren’t for you, it might be time to get a second opinion!