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We get lots of questions from those of you looking to have a beautiful smile. We got
a great question, recently, from a viewer who asks, "what are veneers and the pros and
cons of having them?" Veneers are thin shells that are custom made, in a dental laboratory,
that cover the front part of your teeth. Veneers are a good option for teeth that have chips,
cracks, or stains that cannot be treated by more conservative means, such as bleaching
or bonding. The American Dental Association notes that veneers are a good treatment choice
to correct broken or chipped teeth, to hide gaps, or cover permanently stained teeth.
To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will remove the outer layer of enamel from
the front surface of your tooth to make room for the veneer. This can be done with the
help of Novocain, if you and your dentist decide. Your dentist will take an impression
of your tooth, and send a tooth model to a dental laboratory, to have your veneer custom
made. The time needed can vary by laboratory, but usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. At your next
appointment, your dentist will try on your completed veneer to ensure that it has the
right fit and tooth color. The veneer will then be bonded into place. Because they are
typically made of porcelain, veneers are stronger than other materials, have a natural look,
and do not require are much tooth preparation as, say, a crown. On the other side, they
are not reversible, can be expensive, and usually cannot be fixed if they chip or crack.
Veneers can also stain, so coffee, tea and red wine, as examples, should be limited or
even avoided. If you're interested in improving your appearance, talk with your dentist about
your treatment options, and ask if veneers are a good choice for you.