Veneers are dental coverings that are created to be placed over natural teeth to conceal imperfection in the natural tooth such as substantial staining, cracks, chips, or other cosmetic problems. They are made to fit the individual tooth to ensure that the fit is perfect to prevent any damage being done to the natural tooth such as decay or infection. They are predominantly used as a cosmetic procedure for any aesthetic imperfections that may be found in one tooth that may have occurred from an accident, but sometimes teeth just grow in a little misshapen. They should only be used to improve the appearance of already healthy teeth, as they should not be placed on any teeth that have any decay (in many cases of minor decay the tooth can be treated in order to have the veneer placed) or have any surrounding gum disease.

There are three types of veneers that are most commonly used, differentiated by the material that is used to make them.

Ceramic veneers: These are the most common type of veneer, as they are considered mid-range for price, durability, and lifespan. They are the best option for accurately mimicking the appearance of natural teeth but typically take a big longer to create and often cause temporary sensitivity for several days following placement.

Composite veneers: These are the most affordable option of the three, but only the higher quality composite veneers tend to look natural. The lifespan of composite veneers tends to also be a bit shorter, often needing to be replaced after 5 years, and are more likely to chip and stain than the other options.

Porcelain veneers: Being the most expensive option of the three materials, porcelain veneers are also the most durable, natural looking, and have the longest lifespan. However, porcelain veneers cannot be repaired so if damage is done, they will need to be replaced entirely.

Veneers are placed over the teeth with the intention of them being permanent and not needing to be replaced for a lifetime. It is possible that they will loosen, incur damage, or just wear out and need to be replaced at some point, but they are considered to be permanent structures covering the teeth and cannot be easily removed, and are definitely not removable by patients unless they fall out from trauma. Some types of veneers require shaving down the natural tooth a bit in order to properly fit the veneer, so it is not an option to just eventually have the veneer removed and go back to having full use of your natural teeth. If a veneer is removed, it will need to be replaced to restore proper function and appearance of the tooth.

Veneers are typically considered a cosmetic dental treatment, but can solve some problems in the teeth to improve overall function and bite as well. Some cosmetic problems that veneers solve include severe staining that cannot be removed through professional whitening treatments, gapping between the teeth, and irregularly, misshapen, or misaligned teeth. Improvements to the bite can be made with the addition of veneers by fixing teeth that are worn down to protect the natural tooth from further damage or erosion, improving the integrity and appearance of the tooth, as well as covering teeth that have chipped or broken as they can also be susceptible to incurring more damage or decay and can quickly affect the functionality of the tooth. Worn down or damaged teeth can cause the pulp or roots of the teeth to be exposed, which can cause severe pain or damage to the tissue and surrounding teeth, so while veneers will allow for a more aesthetically appealing smile, they also restore proper function and health to the affected and surrounding teeth.

Veneers are a wonderful solution to conceal minor flaws in the teeth and produce a beautiful, even smile. Veneers are available at Modern Family Dentistry. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 7 Baynard Park St. A, Newnan, GA 30265. We serve patients from Newnan GA, White Oak GA, Raymond GA, Arnco Mills GA, Sargent GA, Madras GA, and Yates GA.