Dental Veneers
Your Trusted Dentist in St Joseph, MO.
Dental veneers are used to address erosion, discoloration, or misaligned teeth. They can help restore a smile and provide the confidence and self-esteem boost that many seek from treating problem teeth.
A significant benefit to veneers is the shape of veneers are meant to bond with the shape of your teeth as they are. This translates to a minimal amount of reshaping or adjusting performed on the natural tooth to accommodate a veneer. With crowns, the opposite is true and the tooth often undergoes reshaping to ensure a proper fit. Dental veneers cover only part of the front of your tooth.
Top Rated Dentist in St Joseph, MO.
Veneers have a history embedded in stardom, as they are deeply attached to the Hollywood industry. In the 1920s, the now-famous Charles Pincus worked with a broad number of Hollywood stars and would apply veneers to provide award-winning smiles on set. Because the addition of audio in “talking pictures” now meant that actors were expected to speak on set, and the look of their teeth was often artificially modified with veneers. They were quite troublesome, however. The veneers were temporary and only lasted a few hours during filming and had to be removed when eating. He was considered one of the best cosmetic dentists on the market at this time and worked with actors and actresses for many decades. His patients included James Dean, Montgomery Clift, Alice Faye, Robert Taylor, Fanny Brice, Mae West, Joan Crawford, Edith Head, Barbara Stanwyck, Walt Disney, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, and even little Shirley Temple. It wasn’t until later in the 1950s that an adhesive was developed that allowed porcelain veneers to bond with teeth for a much longer time and became widespread in use.
Veneers are made from either porcelain or composite materials. They are made to match the exact shape of the tooth it is attaching, so no two veneers are alike. Labs off-site from Bratton Dental Co. work hard to create the exact specifications with the help make a veneer that appears seamless from the rest of the mouth. The thin piece that is attached to the front of the mouth.
Veneers do have a shorter life because while made of porcelain, they are not as strong as natural enamel. The expected span of a veneer is between 10 to 15 years, although this can be extended with proper care. This means brushing teeth twice a day, although it is advisable to do so after every meal. Flossing is also very beneficial and is required once a day, but advisable to do so gently. Gentle flossing will stop the veneer from becoming chipped or cracked. The care for veneers is also meant to protect the tooth behind the veneer, since it is partially covered. You can also help veneers last by using soft bristle toothbrushes and recommended toothpaste. Typical toothpaste may use fluoride that is abrasive to veneers, and cause them to become damaged.