Dental Veneers in East Longmeadow, MA
More than one-third of American adults are unhappy with their smiles. Discolored teeth, uneven gaps between teeth, and even chipped teeth can all make you self-conscious, leading you to hesitate before smiling. To help you perfect your smile, Dr. Gregory Zirakian at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center offers dental veneers. Porcelain veneers can restore your beautiful smile and come with a range of benefits.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment that involves placing custom-made shells over the surface of your teeth. The two most common veneer materials are porcelain and tooth-colored composite.
Dental veneers can help conceal dental imperfections like:
- Chips
- Stains
- Cracks
- Gaps
They can also help conceal teeth that are too small or misshapen, allowing you to get an even set of teeth that enhances your smile.
To be a good candidate for veneers, you must not have oral health issues like gum disease or extensive cavities. Dental veneers do not help treat these issues and do not protect your teeth from further decay, so treating cavities before getting a cosmetic procedure is important.
At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, you can get porcelain veneers to improve your smile.
Dental Veneers vs. Dental Crowns
Dental veneers fit over just the front surface of the tooth, while dental crowns are like a cap that the tooth wears.
Because crowns have to fit over the tooth, a dentist needs to remove more enamel from the tooth to ensure the crown fits. This means a longer procedure and more chances of developing tooth sensitivities than you would experience with dental veneers.
Dental veneers are cosmetic options, while dental crowns can strengthen the tooth and protect it from decay.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers look and feel natural. You won’t have to worry about not being able to speak or eat normally, or about feeling any discomfort throughout the day. You can expect to forget you even have porcelain veneers.
They look and feel so natural because they are custom-made to fit your teeth perfectly. And dental veneers, especially those made of porcelain, do not require much enamel removal. Other options, like crowns or dental bridges, require much more enamel removal, which is permanent.
Additionally, the process of placing dental veneers is minimally invasive, with many people not needing anesthesia.
Dental veneers are also low maintenance. You don’t have to use special products or do much more than what you already do to keep your natural teeth healthy.
Veneers resist stains better than your natural teeth. With the proper care, they can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
Getting Dental Veneers
If you want to improve your smile, you can reach out to Dr. Zirakian for a free consultation. At your appointment, he can assess your oral health to see if you are a good candidate for dental veneers. Tell him about your oral hygiene routine. He will walk you through the costs of the veneers and the payment options you have if your health insurance doesn’t cover the procedure. We offer flexible financing options and payment plans and can work with any budget.
If you are a good candidate for dental veneers, Dr. Zirakian will prepare your teeth, first by numbing the treatment area, and then by removing a bit of the tooth’s enamel. He will then make impressions of your teeth to send off to the lab that will create the veneers. Because it can take a few weeks for the lab to create the veneers, you may receive temporary ones to protect your teeth.
During your following visit to East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, Dr. Zirakian will check the color, shape, and size of the permanent veneers to ensure they offer natural results. He will cement the veneers into place and then check your bite. He can make adjustments as necessary. If you want to change anything about your veneers, Dr. Zirakian will work with you and the lab to achieve the desired results. There is no downtime associated with dental veneers. Right after you leave the office, you can resume normal activity.
Maintaining Dental Veneers
To protect and maintain your dental veneers, you need to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. You can also use mouthwash. Stick to a soft brush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste.
You should not use whitening products, since they can scratch the veneers. Avoid biting ice chips or hard candies to avoid chipping them. You may also want to stay away from very chewy foods. Although dislodging the veneers is not easy, it can occur if you put a lot of repeated pressure on them.
Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, but you can help keep them looking their best if you avoid tobacco, sodas, coffee, red wine, and any other foods and beverages that can cause discoloration.
Dental veneers do not damage your natural teeth, but decay can still occur if you do not brush and floss as recommended.
To extend how long they last, you want to also get a mouthguard if you grind your teeth in your sleep. Not only will the mouthguard protect the veneers, but it can also protect your natural teeth. You also want to avoid using your teeth to open packages or chewing on pens or your fingernails.
Having regular cleanings and check-ups with Dr. Zirakian is essential. He can catch any issues that might affect how the veneers look, so schedule appointments about every six months or as recommended.
Perfect Your Smile Today in East Longmeadow, MA
Dental veneers offer the chance to get the smile you have always wanted by concealing discolorations, gaps, and so many other aesthetic concerns. In just two appointments, you can enjoy a beautiful smile you can’t wait to show off.
With a top-of-the-line facility and close to 40 years of experience, Gregory Zirakian, DMD, of East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, can help you achieve the beautiful and healthy smile you deserve. Contact East Longmeadow Family Dental Center today to schedule your free consultation.