Did you know that dental veneers could help your smile appear straighter? It’s true – in fact, you could have this life-changing alteration in as little as two dental appointments!
That said, veneers are definitely not the same thing as orthodontics. So what does that mean? How does it all work? If you want the answers to these questions and more, you’ll have to keep reading.
Veneers Vs. Orthodontics
As you might know, orthodontics straighten crooked teeth gradually. Over a period of 12 to 18 months, metal braces apply strategic amounts of pressure to your pearly whites, encouraging them to move into more ideal alignments. For clear aligners like Invisalign, the timeline is typically closer to 6 to 12 months, but they work in much the same way.
Veneers, in contrast, don’t actually straighten your teeth. Your pearly whites won’t move an inch during the entire treatment process. This means they’re not very effective for major misalignment or bite issues, but also that they can take care of minor cases with much less time and effort than traditional orthodontics.
How Do Veneers “Straighten” Teeth?
With a little artistry and the power of illusion! You see, veneers are essentially thin, porcelain shells that are adhered to your teeth. They’re customized to completely cover the front-facing portion of your pearly whites – the size, shape, and color can all be adjusted to suit your needs. So if a veneer needs to be uniquely sculpted to conceal small dental gaps or to make a tooth look straighter, that can be done!
The Dental Veneer Process
To achieve an even-looking smile with veneers, you’ll need at least two dental visits. Here’s what you can expect:
- A consultation with your dentist, where you’ll explain your goals and work with them to finalize the details of your treatment plan.
- To create a set of veneers that meet your specifications, your dentist will color match your teeth and take impressions of your mouth.
- Enamel removal – to make room for the veneers, your dentist will have to remove a little bit of your enamel.
- Your dentist will then put temporary veneers in place to mitigate sensitivity while you wait for your permanent set.
- A dental lab will take the data gathered from your dentist and create your customized veneers in about two weeks.
- All that’s left to do from there is drop by your dentist’s office to receive your final, permanent set of veneers.
If you have straighter alignments in mind for your smile, don’t forget to mention it to your dentist. They’ll help you determine whether or not veneers will be able to deliver the results you desire. Consider them your styling assistant and let them guide you towards your dream look!
About the Practice
Dr. Reem Saywa and Dr. Carolyn Romzick both have over a decade of experience in the field of dentistry, and love being able to help patients enhance their dental aesthetics and health. If you’re interested in correcting crooked teeth with dental veneers, Dr. Saywa and Dr. Romzick would be happy to examine your mouth and work with you to build your best-fit treatment plan. To contact their office, call 248-855-4850.