Veneers

How confidently you smile is a major component of your physical appearance and every first impression you make. We believe every smile is beautiful, and cosmetic dentistry treatments like dental veneers are designed to improve and enhance your natural beauty. If you're unhappy with the way your smile looks, then dental veneers can help you address minor imperfections or completely change your look.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are cosmetic dental prosthetics that consist of wafer-thin shells designed to cover the fronts of a patient's teeth to hide imperfections and create a new, visible facade.

Types of Dental Veneers

There are different types of dental veneers available including:

Porcelain - Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice because porcelain is highly durable and also features a translucence that is similar to that of natural tooth enamel. As a result, it creates very natural-looking results.
Porcelain Laminate - These are similar to regular, porcelain veneers, but they are quite a bit thinner which means they do not always have to be a permanent treatment.
Composite - Composite veneers are created from a special type of resin. They can be manufactured in our office or at a dental lab.
Snap-On - These veneers are typically for daily use. They're designed to snap onto the patient's existing teeth to create a temporary look. They can be useful for important events or photoshoots.

Each type of veneer has a slightly different treatment protocol and can also vary quite a bit in terms of cost, as well. So, it's important to discuss these factors with our dentist to determine which is the right treatment for you.

What Can Dental Veneers Do?

Dental veneers deliver powerful cosmetic results. They can be applied to all of a patient's visible teeth or to a select few teeth to create a new look. Dental veneers are commonly used to:

Completely makeover the appearance of a smile
Cover up permanent stains and discoloration
Hide tooth gaps
Improve smile symmetry
Correct the appearance of irregularly sized or shaped teeth
Create a straight-looking smile without the need for braces
Hide silver, amalgam dental fillings
Cover chipped or broken teeth

What to Expect When You're Getting Dental Veneers

The process of getting dental veneers can vary a bit depending on the type of veneers you choose. Typically, though, the process involves a few different steps.

The process always begins with a consultation. During this appointment, our dentist discusses treatment options with you and helps you determine the best type of veneers for you. We then work with you to design your new smile to create a natural-looking, attractive aesthetic.

In most cases, the patient's teeth will need to be prepared for receiving dental veneers. This involves removing a thin layer of tooth enamel to accommodate the placement of dental veneers. We prepare your teeth before taking three-dimensional digital scans to aid in the design of the veneers and create a perfectly customized fit. These specifications and designs are then submitted to our dental lab for manufacture.

Once your veneers are ready, we schedule an appointment for placement. At this appointment, the veneers are permanently fixed to the surface of the teeth.

Throughout this process, we ensure that our patients are perfectly comfortable and pain-free, using local anesthetics if needed.

How to Care for Your Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a permanent treatment, meaning that veneers need to be replaced if they become loose or broken. Dental veneers can last an average of 10 to 20 years, depending on the type of dental veneers you choose. To prolong their lifespan, we recommend avoiding chewing on hard objects like ice or pen caps. You should also wear a protective mouthguard during athletic activities and a nightguard if you suffer from sleep bruxism.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Yarmouth, Maine

Our dentist is experienced in helping patients turn their smile dreams into smile reality with dental veneers and a variety of cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening, dental bonding, dental crowns, and dental implants. If you'd like to improve or enhance the look of your smile, we encourage you to contact our dental office Yarmouth, Maine to request a smile makeover consultation with our dentist.