Have you ever been watching a movie, a TV show or just reading a magazine and wished that your teeth were perfect like those of the celebrities you, see? These days, pretty much every celeb you see has amazing teeth, so what gives? Were they born with them, or have they spent a small fortune getting their smile to the point where it could almost literally light up a room?
It’s not a secret among dentists that no, those celebrities weren’t born that way and that their picture-perfect smiles were likely achieved by enlisting the help of a cosmetic dentistry procedure called dental veneers. Keep reading for an introduction to dental veneers so you know (one of) the secrets to a celebrity smile.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are typically made out of porcelain (the best ones are anyways) but can also be crafted from a composite resin. The veneers themselves are thin shells (porcelain) that are appropriately sized and shaped before being bonded to the front of a patient’s tooth. They are often used to fix cracked, chipped, stained or discoloured teeth but can also be used to fix gaps and lengthen or shorten existing teeth. Veneers are most commonly placed on the upper row of teeth which is most visible when a person laughs, smiles or speaks.
Are veneers complicated to install?
While dental veneers are a very straightforward procedure, they do involve some planning, fitting, and execution to get right. This usually means multiple appointments with your cosmetic dentist which can be time-consuming.
You’ll first need to go for a consultation visit where you will determine if veneers are the right choice to enhance your smile. Then you’ll need to plan out which size, shape, and colour will work best for your look. An impression mold of your existing teeth may be taken at this time.
The second appointment will be to get your teeth prepared for the veneers. To install veneers your teeth must first have a small amount of enamel removed from their surfaces for veneers to be fit securely and properly. This process also means that the veneers will be permanent and will require replacing if they ever need to be removed. It sounds scary but it’s not a big procedure and the results are worth it – just look at any celebrity smile for an example of the outcome. Once your teeth are prepped, your dentist will attach a set of temporary veneers while your custom set is being created by the lab.
The third and usually final appointment is where your dentist ensures the veneers are a perfect fit before permanently bonding them to your teeth. Small adjustments can be made at this time, but generally the shape and colour you chose previously can’t be changed.
How to choose the size, shape, and colour of veneers
Dental veneers are not a process that should be taken lightly, and patients are advised to choose their designs carefully. That’s why a whole consultation appointment is required before your smile can begin getting its upgrade. A general rule of thumb is to choose veneers that are roughly the same shape and size as your existing teeth (with a bit of improvement) so that you’ll still recognize yourself in the mirror. It’s easy to get carried away, but ending up with giant, bright white chiclet teeth isn’t what you want, so a conservative approach is usually the correct one. Consult with your dentist and heed their advice as they really know what they’re doing and will guide you in the right direction.
Why are veneers so popular?
Veneers aren’t just for Hollywood stars anymore, in fact, veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures in North America and are a super versatile way to repair or enhance a smile. The popularity stems from the fact that veneers are one of the best ways to correct cosmetic flaws in our teeth. The procedure is also not very invasive, and most people are candidates for the treatment. Veneers can be expensive, especially if a whole row of teeth is being corrected, but the bang-for-buck ratio just can’t be beaten. No other treatment exists that can have such a dramatic impact on the attractiveness of your smile – not bonding or teeth whitening. Veneers are also very durable and can last for decades with proper care. If something happens and one of the porcelain shells gets damaged, it can be removed and replaced with very little risk to the look of a patient’s smile.
Another, and perhaps the biggest reason for the surge in dental veneer popularity, is the rise of social media. Everyone is an online rockstar now and we’re all connected like never before. With so many posts and photos flying around, there’s no hiding an ugly smile anymore. Naturally, we all want to look our best, especially for our Instagram profiles or TikTok videos, and dental veneers are a great way to instantly make ourselves look more youthful and attractive. Hey, if it works for celebrities, it can do the same for us too, right?
What’s the first step to getting dental veneers like celebrities?
If you’re interested in dental veneers, the first thing you’ll want to do is schedule that all important consultation appointment with your dentist. This will allow you to make sure veneers will work for you and to get an idea of what you should expect from the procedure. You’ll also be able to get your cosmetic dentist to help you begin planning what your new smile will look like. Remember, a conservative approach is best to keep your smile looking naturally radiant – not fake. Cosmetic dentists design and install veneers for their patients on a daily basis so they know what they’re doing and will help guide you through the process.
Get in touch with your dentist and set up that appointment because even if you don’t end up going through with the procedure, you’ll still have gained valuable knowledge down the road.
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