Dental Veneer Candidates

Tue, 11/29/2016 - 18:00

Helping patients determine if veneers are right for them in Alexandria, Virginia.

A veneer is typically made from a thin porcelain shell that replaces some of the enamel on the front of one of your upper front teeth. With the help of veneers, you can hide smile imperfections like:

  • Deep stain
  • Chips
  • Rough texture
  • Gaps
  • Unevenly sized teeth

Strong Healthy Teeth

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A women smiling straight on

A veneer does not reinforce the structure of a tooth. If you have a tooth that’s severely fractured or chipped, a veneer won’t be enough to protect it. These cosmetic restorations are meant to enhance imperfect teeth, but the teeth should be solid enough to hold up on their own.

Teeth should also be free of decay. A veneer is a thin covering, only. It is not meant to fill in a hole in your tooth left behind by a cavity. If you have front teeth that are suffering from decay, then you’ll be better off getting traditional fillings or crowns.

Veneers – A Permanent Fix

You have to be ready for a lifelong commitment if you want veneers. They won’t last forever, so you need to be prepared to update them as necessary years down the road. A veneer replaces a significant layer of enamel. That enamel doesn’t grow back so your tooth will always need extra protection.

If you don’t feel ready for the permanence of traditional veneers, Dr. Farhan Qureshi also offers Vivaneers, a conservative no-prep alternative. Vivaneers don’t require the permanent removal of any tooth structure.