Choosing Veneers for a New Smile
Veneers might be the way to go: Whether you’re looking to fix stained, misshapen, or tiny teeth — and a host of other smile flaws.
At Restora Dental Arts in Austin, Texas, AnnMarie Olson, DDS PA,
offers a wide range of smile-improving treatments. For many of our patients, the best fit is the simplest — veneers.
Anatomy of a tooth
If you viewed a cross-section of a tooth, you’d see layers of soft and hard tissues. The pulp lies at the very center and houses the nerves and blood supply. The next layer is dentin, a hard yellow section that covers the pulp. It has countless tiny tubular canals that transfer sensations like heat and cold. The outer layer, your enamel, is the shiny white surface everyone sees.
The enamel is not only the showpiece but the first line of defense as well. If it gets damaged, the yellow dentin shows through, and bacteria work their way in.
Understanding veneers
If you keep a protective case on your cell phone, you have a good idea of how veneers work. They’re protective shells that cover the front surface of your tooth. Depending on your needs and aesthetic goals, we can apply just one or several.
Your natural teeth are the hardest substance in your body, so whatever you add to them has to be just as strong and durable. That’s why we craft your veneers out of porcelain. We use a special cement to permanently adhere the veneer to your tooth’s surface, and you walk away with a completely new smile.
Who should consider veneers?
There are several scenarios in which veneers would be the best choice:
Stubborn discoloration
If your pearly whites are neither pearly nor white, you might benefit from veneers. Veneers aren’t meant to stand in for regular dental hygiene, but stains do happen. The first step is a dental cleaning, followed by our professional teeth whitening treatment.
If these don’t work, you may have more than stains. If you grind your teeth and wear down the enamel, the dentin below peeks through and makes your teeth look yellow. Aging does the same thing. And certain medications can turn your teeth gray. In these cases, veneers can mask the color underneath and give you a new tooth surface that matches your others.
Gapped teeth
For some people, the gap in their front teeth is a signature trademark. It defines their look, and they love it. But for most, a big gap is annoying and embarrassing. If you fall into that category, veneers can help.
In an otherwise well-aligned row of teeth that don’t require braces or aligners, veneers can step in and close the gap between two or more teeth. Dr. Olson measures the width of the space and designs the veneers to add subtle girth to your existing teeth so they meet one another naturally.
Misshapen teeth
Most human adults have 32 teeth that are meant to last a lifetime. Beyond that, no two sets of teeth share much in common. Your teeth are almost as unique as your fingerprints. They come in countless shades, shapes, and sizes.
If you have a tooth that’s too small, too pointed, or too flat or one that’s rounded or triangular where it should be rectangular, veneers can fix that. Dr. Olson excels at designing the perfect fit for your mouth, so all your teeth look as if they match and belong together in your mouth.
Damaged teeth
A damaged tooth is a weak tooth, and veneers add a physical reinforcement to fortify a vulnerable tooth and keep decay-causing bacteria out.
Veneers placed over broken, cracked, or chipped teeth can prevent the damage from progressing and help you avoid more severe breakage and tooth loss in the future.
Why get your veneers at Innovative Dental Ideas?
Veneers have been a great dental solution for a long time, but that doesn’t mean every dentist is good at it. Veneers are part of the field of cosmetic dentistry, and by its very definition, that means there’s an artistic aspect to designing and applying veneers.
Dr. Olson’s extensive skill, and his eye for beauty and detail, make him the go-to veneer specialist throughout Hilliard and beyond. We also have our own onsite lab, which means we maintain quality and aesthetic control over your veneers from start to finish.
To learn more about veneers and find out if they’re right for you, contact our friendly team by phone or use our online feature to make an appointment at our office.
