The 3 Most Common Types of Dental Veneers Explained

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Has your dentist in Woodbury, MN recommended veneers to fix some of your dental issues? If so, you probably want to know what your options are. So let’s talk about three of the most common types of dental veneers. This will help you make an informed decision about which route you want to go.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are made of a thin layer of material that is placed over your existing teeth to improve their aesthetics or to protect the tooth’s surface from damage. Dental veneers look like your natural teeth and are designed to give them a more traditional shape and look.

There are many different types of dental veneers. However, today we are going to talk about the three most common.

The Three Most Common Types of Dental Veneers Explained

Here are the three most common types of dental veneers. However, it’s best to talk with your dentist about which dental veneers in Woodbury, MN are best for your particular situation.

1. Porcelain Dental Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers are the most common type of veneers used. As the name suggests, they are made of porcelain and have a life expectancy of 10-20 years, depending on how well you take care of them. Porcelain veneers are less likely to stain than other types of dental veneers. Additionally, porcelain dental veneers retain their color better over time than other types of veneers.

2. Ceramic Dental Veneers

Ceramic dental veneers are another common option. Ceramic dental veneers look so much like your natural teeth, no one will know they are not your real teeth. Ceramic dental veneers are extremely durable, and they last between 10-20 years, depending on how well you take care of them.

3. Composite Dental Veneers

Composite dental veneers are a great alternative to porcelain and ceramic dental veneers because they are less expensive. However, they do have a shorter life expectancy, which is about 5-7 years, than porcelain and ceramic dental veneers. Composite dental veneers are made of the same material that is used for natural-colored cavity fillings and only requires minimal to no preparation of your natural tooth. That means your natural tooth structure will be preserved.

What’s Next?

If you would like to speak with a dentist in Woodbury, MN about getting dental veneers, please Contact Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today. We pride ourselves on providing you with a high-quality, customized dental care experience in a relaxing, fun, comfortable environment.

What Age is Too Young For Dental Veneers? 

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Adults aren’t the only ones who sometimes feel bad about the way their smile looks. Young adults and even teens and pre-teens can exhibit confidence issues around the appearance of their teeth. The current social media platform environment can exacerbate these issues or even create problems where they don’t exist. If your son or daughter is asking about dental veneers, you are probably wondering what age is too young for dental veneers.

What Age is Too Young?

Ifdental veneers in Woodbury, MN are a serious consideration, remember that this is a permanent treatment. There’s no going back later and removing the veneers. With dental veneers, the surface of the natural tooth is “shaved” down in order to accept the veneer. This permanently alters the natural tooth. Age is not the real issue as far as when is too soon. The person must:

  • Be mature enough to understand the permanence of dental veneers
  • Not have underlying emotional issues that are driving the request
  • Be mature enough to take care of the veneers
  • Have all of their adult teeth in
  • Not have serious underlying oral health problems

Is There Truly a Problem?

The impossible beauty standards that are pushed on social media can make a youngster feel like their smile is inadequate. In fact, most of the “beautiful” images on these platforms are airbrushed and manipulated in a way that isn’t real. Your youngster may feel they don’t measure up, when in fact their teeth are perfectly fine. Consult with yourfamily dentist in Woodbury, MN for an honest assessment before considering cosmetic dentistry.

Other Options May be Better

Bear in mind that there are many options for actual tooth issues that your youngster may have. Simple solutions such as professional teeth whitening, teeth bonding or even cleaner braces treatment for teeth straightening may be better. These solutions may solve the problem of your youngster’s lack of confidence in their appearance.

Have your son or daughter come in tospeak with one of our dentistswith you. The best decision is an informed one that involves all parties involved, including the parent or guardian when the patient is a minor.

Get the Smile You Want with a Dental Veneer

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Do you hesitate to smile because you have a small gap between your front teeth? Even if you have perfectly aligned teeth, you could have a chip or a crack in one of your front-facing teeth or a discolored tooth that makes you feel self-conscious. Whatever your reason for wanting to improve your smile, dental veneers in Woodbury, Minnesota are a simple and permanent solution.

What Are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is an extremely thin piece of porcelain that Dr. Erlandson or Dr. Roehrich attaches to your tooth using dental cement and a curing light. The veneer is similar in color and texture to your natural teeth to ensure that it blends in seamlessly without anyone noticing. Veneers are a popular choice in cosmetic dentistry for people who just want to treat one small area and do not necessarily need a total smile makeover.

What to Expect When Getting a Veneer at Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

To prevent your treated tooth from protruding further than your other teeth, your dentist will need to shave off a small amount of tooth enamel before attaching the veneer. The amount is typically less than one-eighth of a centimeter.

Once your dentist feels satisfied that he has enough room to place the veneer, the next step is to apply the dental cement that allows it to stick to the front of your tooth indefinitely. Next, he shines a curing light onto the tooth to force the dental cement to harden. The final step is to trim any loose cement on your tooth. You are now ready to show your beautiful new smile to the world.

Caring for Your New Dental Veneer

You need to be careful with your new veneer just as you would any dental restoration. Specifically, you should avoid biting into hard foods with your treated tooth and never use it for anything but eating. Keep in mind that most dental veneers last about 10 years before they require replacement. You will always need to have a veneer on the treated tooth due to the removal of tooth enamel.

Are you ready to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services in Woodbury? Please schedule an appointment with our dental practice today.

Is It Too Late to Save my Smile?

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It’s never too late to save your smile. Your dentist in Woodbury, MN has a range of options to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth. Even a lifetime of neglect is fixable with the right dental care. Schedule an appointment today to find out what can be done to restore your smile to its intended brilliance.

Simple Options for Smile Repair

Smile repair options range from easy to complex, depending upon the shape and appearance of your teeth, jaw, and gums. Some procedures are more simple and others. They include the following.

Teeth Whitening

If your teeth and oral health are in relatively good condition, a simple tooth whitening might be all that’s needed to bring back the sparkle. Teeth Whitening uses bleach such as hydrogen peroxide to remove yellow stains from the enamel. As a result, your teeth look whiter and brighter than before.

You may need to have your teeth whitened if you drink a lot of beverages such as coffee, tea, or wine, that stain teeth over time.

Veneers

A second simple option for smile repair uses veneers, or thin shells of porcelain or composite to fix a range of unsightly tooth issues, including:

  • Cracks
  • Chips
  • Decay
  • Stains
  • Gaps

Veneers simply fit over existing damaged teeth, making them appear new again. Before fitting your new veneers, your dentist will shave down a portion of your natural tooth to allow the veneer to fit as it should.

Braces or Aligners

Braces and aligners help to straighten teeth that are crooked or unevenly spaced. They make your teeth appear more even and perfectly straight. They also eliminate unsightly gaps. Braces are typically made from metal and attach to your teeth with ceramic or metal brackets, which are then tightened periodically to move teeth into the desired position.

Aligners, alternately, are clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth. They’re less visible and do just as good a job as braces at moving teeth into position. Aligners are switched out periodically, and new trays are fitted into place. Aligners can be removed at night for sleeping and through the day for eating and cleaning.

Other procedures such as dental implants, dentures, crowns, and fillings will help to improve the appearance of your teeth, too. They also help to alleviate pain from toothaches to prevent decay and bone loss. If you’re interested in discussing your goals for smile repair with your dentist in Woodbury, MN, call Woodlane Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment today.

Benefits of Veneers

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Veneers in Woodbury, MN If you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks, veneers could offer an excellent option. They’re shells that are placed on the front of your teeth to correct imperfections for a more beautiful smile. Why should you consider veneers? Here are a few of the benefits they have to offer.

Get a Whiter, Brighter Smile

If you’re dreaming of a whiter smile but whitening treatments aren’t right for you, veneers could help. They cover the front of your teeth and can be chosen in lighter shades to brighten up your smile. And you won’t have to worry about the sensitivity that often comes with traditional teeth whitening.

Don’t Worry About Future Stains

Unlike your teeth, veneers aren’t porous. This means that you won’t have to worry about them getting stained in the future. Enjoy your favorite wine or your daily cup of coffee without worrying that you’ll ruin the appearance of your veneers.

Correct Tooth Imperfections

Veneers also have the ability to correct tooth imperfections, such as irregular shape, cracks, gaps, and chips. Even if teeth are a bit crooked or you have some chipped teeth, veneers can help you to enjoy the perfect smile you want.

A Long-Lasting Option

As long as you take good care of your teeth with daily dental hygiene, veneers can last a long time. In fact, they can last decades with proper oral care.

Additional Protection for Teeth

Veneers also can strengthen and protect teeth that are vulnerable due to cracks or chips. If your teeth need a bit more protection and additional strength, they could be an excellent choice for you.

Dental veneers are so easy to maintain, they’re long-lasting, and they can give you the gorgeous smile you want. If you’re wondering if veneers are right for you, contact our office today and set up your appointment for a consultation.

Need Veneers? Here is what happens.

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During your dental check-ups, your dental professional isn’t just looking at ways to improve your oral health. Instead, your dentist is taking a more holistic approach and also looking for ways to make your smile more beautiful and natural. If veneers are recommended, you might wonder why and what the next steps could be.

Why Veneers?

Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth, the effects of life will begin to show. Discoloration due to age, medication and foods and beverages is common. Veneers are made of porcelain or a composite material. A light layer is applied to the outside of the tooth in question which can help even out the discoloration.

In other instances, you could experience a chip or other minor damage. While this type of issue often doesn’t cause lasting side effects if it is minor, the result could be a less-than-perfect smile. Many people feel that a beautiful and white smile helps them feel better about themselves. Veneers can help them obtain that gorgeous smile once again.

Direct Veneers

Because there are two types of veneers, your dentist will need to carefully examine your mouth to determine which one is best suited to you. Direct veneers refer to the process of directly applying the composite resin to the outside of your tooth using bonding material. In some cases, you might hear someone say they are having their teeth bonded which refers to the direct application of veneers.

Indirect Veneers

A more recent development in the world of veneers is the indirect technique. Usually a two-visit event, indirect bonding first requires that your dentist made an impression of your teeth before sending those off to a manufacturing laboratory off-site.

About two to three weeks later, your veneers will be ready and you’ll need to return to your dentist and have them installed. This process involves having these custom-made veneers bonded to your teeth. Designed of porcelain or pressed ceramic, indirect veneers look natural and improve your smile.

At Woodlane Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re eager to help you and your entire family get the smile you’ve craved. Call us today for more information!