Got a Gummy Smile? Just One of Many Reasons to Consider Veneers

If your smile isn't as white as you'd like it, you might consider dental veneers to add a whiter shade than may be possible from your natural teeth, even with professional treatment. It's the secret behind many a Hollywood smile. However, brightness is only one dental condition that veneers can improve.

The shape of your teeth also has a huge effect on the impact of your smile. Some people have "short" teeth, so when they smile, gum tissue features prominently. If you've got a gummy smile, veneers may be a solution for a more balanced appearance. These versatile, thin caps look and wear much like your natural teeth, and they can blend with other teeth, as well as brighten.

How dental veneers work

As their name implies, dental veneers are thin shells of tooth-like material that fit over the front of your natural teeth. Veneers can be made from composite resin, but the best and longest-lasting results usually come from porcelain, which closely mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel. The Dental Touch chooses porcelain veneers for its patients.

Working from impressions of your teeth, every veneer is custom-made for comfort and fit. Porcelain is also well-tolerated by gum tissue, meaning that contact with porcelain won't cause any adverse reaction for your gums. In the case of a gummy smile, tissue can be removed to artificially elongate the tooth. The portion of the tooth that's now exposed gets covered and blended into the new gumline by the custom veneer. You'll now greet everyone with a smile that emphasizes your pearly whites.

Other conditions treated by dental veneers

There are few people born with perfect smiles, and it's often possible to address the little quirks that Mother Nature bestowed by using veneers. For instance, gaps in teeth can be addressed with orthodontics, but if you have only one unsightly space, braces may be overkill. A pair of veneers, each extending the profile of adjacent teeth, can fill that gap without the time and expense of orthodontic treatment. There are even some crooked teeth conditions that veneers can even out.

Dental veneers aren't all about cosmetics, either. Chipped or cracked teeth that are still structurally sound can be treated with veneers. The chips and cracks vanish - cosmetically improved - and the cemented veneer reinforces and strengthens the tooth, reducing the chance of further damage.

The veneer fitting process

Veneers typically take at least two appointments to fit, in addition to your initial consultation. Porcelain veneers usually require the removal of some tooth enamel to accommodate their thickness. This is done prior to taking the impressions that the dental lab uses to customize your veneers. You may be fitted with temporary veneers during this process.

Once your permanent veneers are ready, your teeth are cleaned and etched to create a strong bond between tooth and veneer. Some minor adjustments may be made then, or you may come back in a week or two for these.

The dentists at The Dental Touch are veneer specialists, able to get the most out of the veneer process to create your ideal smile. Contact the office today, by phone or through the handy online booking tool, to get started on your smile improvements.