Discover If Veneers Are Right for You: A Comprehensive Guide by Main Line Dental Health & Wellness

Veneers are wafer-thin, porcelain “shells” bonded to the surface of imperfect teeth to give them a smooth, unblemished appearance. They’re custom-designed in an off-site lab to fit perfectly over the teeth they are treating. The procedure for getting veneers is relatively simple: Dr. Bryan will prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for your veneers. We’ll then create a mold of your prepared teeth and send it to the lab to fabricate your veneers. When your veneers are ready, we’ll put them on your teeth, make any necessary adjustments, and cement them in place permanently to improve your smile instantly!

Despite their simplicity and beauty, veneers aren’t for everyone. To qualify for this treatment, you need to meet the following criteria:

1. Maintaining Oral Health
   Veneer candidates must have good oral health, free of decay, oral infections, and gum disease. Any pre-existing problems with teeth and gums must be addressed before veneer treatment.
2. Dedication to Dental Hygiene
   For veneers to last, you must be committed to good oral care. This includes thorough brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist biannually for exams and cleanings.
3. Consideration of Daily Habits
   If you habitually grind your teeth, bite your nails, chew on pens and pencils, or use your teeth like tools, you’re not a good candidate for veneers, as these habits will ruin your treatment.
4. Identifiable Issues That Veneers Address
   Despite being a versatile cosmetic treatment, there are quite a few problems veneers can’t fix. Severely crooked or misaligned teeth, for example, are beyond the scope of veneer treatment and generally require braces or clear aligners to fix. The following are some of the most common issues veneers can correct:
   • Stains and discolorations – Veneers can “conceal” intrinsic stains and discolorations that don’t respond to whitening treatment, giving your smile a brighter appearance.
   • Chips and cracks – Chips, cracks, and slightly misaligned teeth can be concealed with veneers to improve your smile’s symmetry and aesthetics.
   • Gaps between teeth – Veneers can close minor gaps and uneven spaces in your smile, giving it a uniform appearance.
   • Misshapen or irregular teeth – Veneers can lengthen short teeth or broaden thin teeth to make your smile appear more balanced.