With so many cosmetic dentistry options available to enhance your smile today, it might feel difficult to choose the right one for you. Dental veneers are one of the most popular procedures patients have found to bring success to their smile goals. In some cases, just one or two veneers can transform an entire smile. Dr. Polley, our cosmetic dentist, can use veneers to enhance your smile or restore a damaged tooth.
See the possibilities with dental veneers when you schedule a consultation with Dr. Polley. He will determine if porcelain veneers are right for you and show you what your smile could look like with treatment. If you’re ready to talk about your smile goals or have any questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to call our Las Vegas dental office at (702) 873-0324 or fill out our contact form for an appointment.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers, also known as porcelain veneers are thin covers made of ceramic material that adhere to the front of your teeth to change your tooth’s shape, color, and overall appearance. The porcelain veneer hides your natural tooth surface underneath the shell, giving your tooth an entirely new look. Dr. Polley can use one or several veneers to enhance your smile.
Some of the most common problems dental veneers correct include:
- Chipped teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Short or misshapen teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Gapped teeth
Am I a Good Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
Most patients who visit our Las Vegas cosmetic dentist, Dr. Polley are good candidates for dental veneers. There are only a few requirements to make you a good candidate for veneers. Patients must have an overall healthy mouth that is free of gum disease and not grind or clench their teeth while they sleep (bruxism). Since bruxism damages your teeth, porcelain veneers are usually not recommended. However, if you wear a night guard at night, Dr. Polley might recommend veneers as an option.
Dr. Polley will also determine if your teeth are strong enough to support dental veneers. Patients who have tooth decay can benefit from CEREC dental crowns, but unfortunately not porcelain veneers.
If necessary, Dr. Polley will treat any underlying dental problems first and then let you know if you are a good candidate for dental veneers.
How We Design Your New Smile
Dr. Polley is an experienced cosmetic dentist and will use his skills and expertise to design your perfect smile. He takes your unique features such as your lips, face and bite into consideration with your personal goals to give you a smile that looks and functions great. Before your procedure, you will have a clear idea of what your smile will look like with dental veneers.
Dental Veneers Procedure Overview
The procedure for dental veneers is actually quite simple. Once Dr. Polley determines how he will treat your smile, he will prepare your teeth for the veneers. The teeth that will have veneers placed on them will require the removal of a small amount of enamel. This allows for your teeth to accommodate the space it needs for veneers.
Once we prep your teeth, we will take digital images of your teeth to custom-craft your dental veneers with a dental lab. While we create your veneers, you will wear temporary veneers to maintain your beautiful smile in the meantime. Once your veneers are ready, you will return to our dental office in Las Vegas and we will bond the veneers to your teeth after final fitting. In just two appointments, you will achieve a brand new smile!
Caring for Your Dental Veneers
Taking care of your dental veneers is important for longevity. The better you take care of them, the longer they will last. First things first, your veneers rely highly on the support of your teeth. This means you need to take care of your oral health before anything. Brushing and flossing regularly as well as visiting us for regular dental exams is all you really need for preventive care.
In addition to good oral hygiene, it’s important that you don’t bite into hard foods like ice or hard candy. You should also wear a night guard while you sleep if you are prone to bruxism. You should also not use your teeth as tools or bite down on non-food items with them.
It’s normal to experience some light sensitivity after we place your veneers. If this is the case, please take some acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If the pain persists, please contact us for assistance.
If your veneers happen to chip or break at any point, make sure you don’t swallow the part of the veneer that broke off. Visit our dental office immediately and we will fix it right away.
If dental veneers sound like a good cosmetic dentistry option for your smile, please contact our dental office in Las Vegas for a consultation with Dr. Polley. You can call us at (702) 873-0324 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment. We look forward to helping your smile dreams come true!