Many of our patients have discovered the beauty of dental veneers. They offer affordable and attractive cosmetic dental treatments to help address a long list of smile imperfections. 

However, as with any dental treatment, you want to ensure you understand what is involved so you can decide if it is right for you. It also offers the opportunity to discuss a range of other cosmetic dentistry treatments in Oakville. Here we offer eight important questions to ask your dentist before getting dental veneers.

1. Am I a good candidate for dental veneers?

When considering cosmetic treatments, it’s important to understand if the treatment you have in mind is right for you. Many people do their research online and get excited about a cosmetic option that turns out isn’t suitable for them. There are a few reasons dental veneers might not be recommended for you including:

• If you have tooth decay, cavities or gum disease
• If you have fractured teeth
• If you have large dental fillings
• If your tooth enamel is inadequate
• If you clench or grind your teeth

First, we always check your oral health before providing any cosmetic treatment. If we find any of the above issues, dental veneers aren’t suitable for you. However, if you have issues such as cavities and gum disease, we will treat those first, and can then determine if veneers will be an option once your oral health is improved. 

In the case of inadequate tooth enamel, veneers will not be an option because we have to sand down some of your enamel to allow the veneers to fit comfortably when veneers are applied. If you already have thin enamel this process is not advisable. Also, if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw you can more easily crack or chip your veneers. In this case, we can discuss other cosmetic dentistry treatments. 

2. Are there other options that might be better or more affordable for me?

Cosmetic dentistry offers many options so it is always good to understand other suitable treatments. As mentioned above, since there are some cases where veneers won’t work, there might be other treatments to discuss. Plus, if you are seeking a solution such as filling in a gap between your teeth, perhaps Invisalign treatment might be something to consider. Understanding your options allows you to make an informed decision so you choose the treatment that suits your budget, lifestyle and gets the results you want.

3. How are dental veneers applied?

Porcelain veneers require two appointments: the first to prep your teeth and the second to apply your veneers. Porcelain veneers are crafted at a dental lab and require moulds of your teeth to ensure a proper fit. Your teeth also have to be prepped by removing a bit of the surface to make more room for your new veneers. 

We use a local anesthetic at this stage just in case you experience sensitivity during the process. Once your teeth are prepped, we apply temporary veneers to protect them while you wait for your next appointment. We also discuss colour and shape to get the desired look for your veneers. At the second appointment, we do a final colour match before bonding the veneers to your teeth.

4. Are veneers high maintenance?

This is a good question to ask, as many patients envision their dental veneers will be difficult to care for. Although your temporary veneers definitely need some special care as they are quite fragile, once your new veneers are applied, they simply require the same daily care as your own teeth.

5. Can I choose to remove my veneers if I decide I don’t like them?

Because of the prep required to apply the veneers, once you have this step completed you can’t reverse the treatment. You have to be certain you are committed to your dental veneers as it does alter your tooth enamel. While we certainly can adjust your veneers to help get the look you desire, the procedure itself is not reversible.

6. Do my veneers last a lifetime?

No, veneers require replacement on average every 10 years or so. This number varies depending on how you care for them as well as if you use your teeth for things you shouldn’t, such as biting your nails or opening packages! These things can cause your veneers to wear down more quickly.

7. How do I know my veneers will look natural?

We take a number of steps to ensure you get the results you expect. This includes:

• Discussing your goals: First, we discuss what you want and identify the issues you plan to correct. This way we get a better idea of what approach to take when we craft your veneers.
• Tooth shape: Next we consider your tooth shape and consider how to ensure consistency with your veneers to match your smile and face.
• Tooth shade: We also look at your smile and choose a tooth shade that will blend with your natural teeth. We do a thorough colour matching session using samples before we commit to the shade. In the case where you are having a complete smile makeover using veneers, you can simply choose a shade from the samples that will match your skin tone or the preferred shade of whiteness you want for your new smile.
• Some photo editing: Technology makes it easier for us to show you what your veneers will look like when your new smile is finished. We can experiment with the look and shades until you find the look you want.
• Temporary veneers: Last but not least, your temporary veneers are the best way to give your new smile a trial run. You can see what they’ll look like and how they’ll feel before committing.

8. Do you have before and after pictures of patients with veneers?

This is a good way to see the positive effects that veneers can make to a person’s smile. Before and after pictures of real patients, as opposed to “photoshopped” smiles, provide a realistic glimpse of what you can expect from your own treatment. 

Schedule a Consultation for Porcelain Veneers Today

At Oakville Place Dental, our experienced dentists can help you achieve a beautiful smile, and porcelain veneers are often an important part of a smile makeover.

If you would like more information about dental veneers or would like to schedule a consultation with our dentists, call Oakville Place Dental at (647) 496-2721 or contact us here.