Crowns vs Bridges: How Are They Different?
If you have one or more missing teeth, replacing them is a good idea, but your options can be confusing. In this post, we discuss two popular forms of tooth replacement: crowns and bridges.
8 Problems Veneers Resolve
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic investment. After all, don’t you want to show the world your best smile? Your smile reflects your inner self, and having a set of teeth that you’re proud to show off makes it much easier to share.
Dr. Stephen Hiroshige and his staff want you to have outstanding oral health, but we also want you to feel great about your smile. We offer numerous procedures to keep your mouth healthy, like fillings and root canals, but we can also help you get the look you want with professional teeth with services like teeth whitening and veneers.
More people want dental veneers than ever before and for good reason. The treatment is perfectly customized to make your smile look fantastic and it’s remarkably versatile. In this post we discuss eight problems that veneers can correct.
Veneer basics
Veneers are extremely thin shells that are bonded to your teeth. They may be made of composite resin or porcelain. Porcelain tends to last longer, has less chance of staining, and looks more natural. Composite resin doesn’t require the removal of any enamel, and the procedure can be reversed.
Whichever type of material you choose, your veneers are custom-made to fit your mouth using impressions we take in our office and send to the laboratory where your veneers are made. You usually need at least two appointments—one for a consultation at which time we take the impressions and one for your veneers to be placed. In some cases, you may need more than one appointment for the placement.
You can get a partial veneer to cover a small flaw, you can get a single veneer up to a full set. It all depends on your goals and needs. Dr. Hiroshige can help you decide how to best get the look you want.
Although most people realize that veneers can be used to improve the aesthetics of their smile, many don’t know just how many different kinds of problems veneers can address.
1. Discoloration
Your teeth can become discolored for any number of reasons. One of the most common we see is simply time. As you get older, your enamel wears thin, allowing the dentin underneath to show through.
Dentin can be yellowish or grayish in color, and no amount of whitening will alter its color. Veneers can give you back the bright, white smile you once had.
2. Chips and cracks
Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth can be hidden with veneers. In addition to the aesthetic advantage, the veneer can lend strength to a cracked or chipped tooth.
3. Minor misalignment
If your teeth are slightly crooked, veneers can be a great way to correct the issue. Veneers aren’t appropriate if you need orthodontic care, but they can be used to effectively cover small misalignments.
4. Staining
Do you love your coffee? Maybe you are a wine connoisseur? Either beverage can lead to staining on your teeth, along with smoking, certain deeply pigmented foods, or even some medications.
If your teeth are stained, and whitening products don’t help, you may want to consider veneers, which can hide the stains and leave you with a gorgeous smile.
5. Gaps
Gaps between your teeth can be bothersome and in some instances problematic. If food regularly gets lodged in the gaps between your teeth, it can leave you more vulnerable to tooth decay. Veneers are a good way to disguise those gaps.
6. Small teeth
Do your teeth seem out of proportion with the rest of your face? One goal of veneers is to make sure your smile suits you and is aesthetically pleasing. One use of veneers that many people aren’t aware of is making small teeth appear more proportionate.
7. Oddly shaped teeth
Some people have a weird or odd-shaped tooth. Maybe it’s pointed, or perhaps it is just shaped differently than the others. Veneers can correct the issue, giving you uniform, beautiful teeth.
8. Damaged enamel
Enamel is one of the strongest substances in your body, but it isn’t indestructible. Acidic foods, brushing too hard, or even conditions like acid reflux can damage your enamel. Veneers can serve as an excellent treatment in cases of damaged enamel.
Are you ready to find out if veneers could be the solution to your smile flaws? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hiroshige today and find out!
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