Teeth Veneers
Palo Alto, CA
Veneers in Palo Alto provided by Dr. Sharma , Dr. Lin , and Dr. Cheong at Palo Alto Oral Health
 If you want to make your teeth look bright white and even, then dental veneers are a quick and effective option. At Palo Alto Oral Health, we believe in arming all our clients with the right knowledge about every dental restorative procedure. This guide should be useful in providing basic information about veneers.
What are Dental Veneers?
A dental veneer is a thin, custom-fitted shell of porcelain that is used to recreate the look and feel of natural teeth, while offering the strength and functional properties of real enamel.
Dental veneers are made to fit the contours of your individual teeth and are typically applied in two sessions.
Types of Dental Veneers?
There are two main types of dental veneers:
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Composite veneers: These veneers are also known as direct veneers due to their application method. They are made up of a composite material and unlike porcelain veneers, they are not premade in a lab. Instead, the material is applied in layers to the surface of the tooth. These veneers last from 5 to 7 years.
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Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are the most popular choice. These are custom-fitted veneers in a dental lab and molded based on your natural teeth exactly so they require two sessions to finish. Porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers but they can last for over 10 years and even longer if taken care of. |
Why are Dental Veneers Used?
Dental veneers are used to fix a wide variety of dental cosmetic issues, including:
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Hiding teeth that are discolored and stained.
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Restoring worn or chipped teeth.
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Covering up crooked or misshapen teeth.
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Covering large gaps and uneven spacing between teeth. |
Dental Veneers Application Process
Composite veneers are applied in a single process, but if you are getting porcelain veneers, here is what you can expect at Palo Alto Oral Health:
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One of our dentists will first take your x-rays in a preliminary dental visit.
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Your tooth enamel will then be shaved about half a millimeter to accommodate the veneers.
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We will then take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab so that the veneers can be made. This generally takes up to 2 weeks.
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When the veneers are finished, we will check the color and fit of the veneers and then etch your teeth slightly so the veneers will attach easily to them.
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The veneers are then placed on the surface of the teeth with dental cement and a UV light is used to harden it.
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We may also recommend a follow-up visit to check whether your veneers are placed properly. |
Benefits of Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers have several benefits when it comes to improving the shape and function of your teeth:
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Applying dental veneers are a less invasive procedure than getting dental crowns and braces.
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Porcelain veneers mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural enamel, making your teeth look shiny.
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Porcelain veneers do not stain easily. |
Limitations of Dental Veneers?
Like all dental cosmetic and restorative options, dental veneers also have a few limitations:
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Getting dental veneers is an irreversible process since it requires eroding your enamel. Since the enamel cannot regenerate, the teeth will always need to be protected.
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If you place too much pressure on your dental veneers or chew very hard objects, it can break your veneers.
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Dental veneers are not a good choice for people who are prone to clenching their teeth.
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Dental veneers cannot protect your teeth from decay so make sure you practice good oral hygiene always. |
Caring for Your Dental Veneers
Dental veneers need to be brushed and flossed just like your natural teeth. Make sure you use a non-abrasive toothpaste to prevent damaging the veneer. Also, limit your use of tobacco, coffee, cola, red wine and things that can darken your teeth.
Dental veneers can last over a decade; however, they will need to be replaced at some point. However, good oral care can help them last a long time. If you are interested in getting dental veneers, call us today at (650) 321-9693 to schedule an appointment with us.
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