Veneers – Los Alamitos, CA
Quickly Fix Many Cosmetic Dental Flaws
Many popular actors, newscasters, and politicians understand how vital having an attractive, maintained appearance is for audience approval. Being able to confidently look someone in the eye creates a powerful first impression, so people who work in a group setting regularly can appreciate the value of an incredible smile. For those with less-than-perfect teeth, it is reassuring to know there is a solution to quickly fix many cosmetic dental flaws. At the office of Dr. William Poe, we are pleased to offer an effective treatment to restore your confident grin for a decade or more in only three appointments with veneers in Los Alamitos. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation!
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain that your dentist permanently attaches to the front of your teeth. They can disguise a wide range of flaws including:
- Discoloration
- Cracks and chips
- Minor misalignment
- Small gaps
- Teeth that are too small
- Misshapen teeth
You can choose to get a single veneer to cover a particularly unattractive tooth, or you can invest in an entire set of veneers to achieve a complete smile transformation.
The Process of Getting Veneers
The process to upgrade your smile with veneers is relatively simple. First, you sit down for a consultation with our cosmetic dentist in Los Alamitos, who gets familiar with your dental needs and particular smile goals. Once you are deemed to be a viable candidate, he will remove a tiny amount of enamel, so your veneers have room to blend in perfectly with your current grin.
From there, he will take 3D images of your teeth that a trusted dental lab technician will use to create your custom veneers. The timeframe for this step is usually a few weeks, so we will provide you with temporary veneers to wear.
When we receive your permanent veneers from the lab, Dr. Poe will place them using exceptionally strong bonding cement. Further customization will be done as needed. Once the process is completed, you’ll have a sensational smile, and we’ll make sure you are informed about how to take great care of it!
The Benefits of Veneers
Why are veneers worth every penny? Because they are:
- Long-Lasting: With proper care and regular checkups, veneers can maximize your smile for well over a decade.
- Stain-Resistant: Veneers aren’t nearly as susceptible to stains as your natural tooth enamel, so they can be an effective long-term whitening solution.
- Custom-Made: Veneers are crafted to be the perfect size, shape, and color to blend in with your specific smile.
- Easy to Maintain: Just as you do for natural teeth, be sure to brush twice and floss once daily, plus rinse with mouthwash. Then, visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning while he also checks the fit and appearance of your veneers.
Veneer FAQs
How Long Do Veneers Last?
A study conducted in 2007 by Layton found that over 90% of veneers lasted for 12+ years. Another study, which was conducted five years later, reported that 83% lasted 20 years. The key is committing to good oral hygiene habits, like brushing twice a day, coming to our office every six months for a checkup, and flossing consistently. Of course, breaking bad habits is equally as important, including biting your nails, smoking, and chewing on ice cubes.
Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?
Actually, yes! If you grind your teeth at night, you have gum disease, or your teeth are badly decayed, you are not a candidate for veneers (at least not before the necessary restorative care is provided). Veneers also aren’t ideal for patients with severe malocclusion, like multiple teeth that are rotated completely out of position. Ultimately, if you are considering veneers for yourself, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with our Los Alamitos dental team so we can learn about your smile goals, conduct a comprehensive oral exam, and determine if this smile-enhancing service is an option.
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
Good news: veneers are crafted from stain-resistant materials, like dental porcelain. While that doesn’t mean you can forgo brushing and flossing your teeth, it does mean that stubborn stains won’t resurface as quickly. In other words, having a cup of coffee in the morning, some tea in the afternoon, or a glass of wine at the end of the day won’t negatively impact their appearance unless you over-indulge considerably.
Do Veneers Feel Like Real Teeth?
They do! There are a few reasons for this. The first is that the materials veneers are crafted from are smooth, so they won’t irritate your gums. The second is that each and every one is custom-made for you, which ensures that they won’t protrude unnaturally or stick out uncomfortably.
Is There Anything You Can’t Eat with Veneers?
Yes, there are a few foods we recommend avoiding in an effort to maintain your results for as long as possible. Taffy, gummy worms, lollipops, hard pretzels, and candy canes are a few examples. Basically, you want to steer clear of sticky foods that can tug your veneers out of place and crunchy ones that can lead to a serious chip or crack. Instead, opt for foods that are softer and more nutrient-dense, like bananas and oatmeal.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Technically, veneers aren’t always considered permanent because they might eventually wear down and require replacement. With that said, Dr. Poe must remove a small amount of your enamel for these shells to fit correctly, which doesn’t grow back.
That means placing them involves an irreversible change to the structure of your teeth that leaves them slightly more vulnerable to oral issues, like decay, disease, or other damage. You’ll need to have veneers or some other restoration in place to safeguard your smile moving forward.
What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?
Are you concerned that these ceramic covers will damage the teeth they’re cemented to? Thankfully, that’s not usually the case! While it’s true that our team must remove a small amount of enamel, your veneers are strong and durable enough to shield the underlying tooth from chips, cracks, and discoloration.
However, they only protect the front surfaces of your enamel, so you must continue brushing and flossing twice daily to prevent common concerns, like cavities, periodontal problems, or other injuries.
Will Veneers Cause a Lisp?
These porcelain restorations are quite thin, usually measuring only about 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm thick. Despite these minimal dimensions, your tongue and the other tissues in your mouth are quite sensitive to change, and it can take some time to adjust to the enhancements.
Some patients develop a mild lisp, slur, or other changes to their speech patterns during this transitional period. Fortunately, the effect is usually temporary and resolves on its own after a few days to a couple of weeks. You can potentially help speed up the process by reading out loud to yourself or recording yourself speaking so you can target challenging sounds to practice, such as “v”, “sh”, “th” and “s”, until you feel more confident in your enunciation.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Your recent cosmetic upgrade has the power to transform your smile and boost your confidence for years to come. For instance, a study shared in 2012 reported that, of 318 veneers that were placed, 95% of them lasted for 5 years, 94% lasted 10 years, and 83% lasted 20 or more years!
However, their lifespan can depend significantly on how well you care for them. You can help preserve your restorations by brushing and flossing twice daily, avoiding overly crunchy, hard, sticky, or darkly pigmented foods, and visiting Dr. Poe every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning.