Dental veneers are wafer-thin pieces of porcelain or composite resin that are carefully bonded to the front of your permanent teeth, improving their color, luster, and aesthetic appearance.

Veneers look very similar to your natural teeth, but because they’re made of porcelain, are much more resistant to stains. In addition, they reflect light similar to the way enamel does, making them an excellent treatment option for patients who don’t respond to teeth whitening.

Dental veneers are incredibly versatile and can address a wide variety of oral imperfections including:

• Gaps
• Crooked teeth
• Yellow or discolored teeth

The team at Kirkland Premier Dentistry also uses veneers to address broken, cracked, and uneven teeth.

Getting dental veneers typically requires two separate dental appointments. At your first appointment, your Kirkland Premier Dentistry provider performs a thorough oral exam, reviews your medical history, and asks a series of questions about your aesthetic goals for treatment.

Next, your provider takes an X-ray of your teeth. If you’re a good candidate, your dentist then preps your teeth for veneers.

To prepare your teeth, your dentist administers a local anesthetic, numbing your gums and teeth. Then, a layer of enamel from your teeth is carefully removed, equal to the thickness of your veneers.

It takes 2-4 weeks to manufacture your veneers. Once they’re ready, you return to the office, and the veneers are fitted to your teeth. Then, your dentist places a bonding cement between your veneers and teeth using a special light beam to harden the cement.

Dental veneers are incredibly sturdy, but they won’t last forever. To keep yours in good shape, it’s important to brush and floss regularly just like you would your natural teeth, and visit Kirkland Premier Dentistry once every six months for an oral exam and professional cleaning.

In addition, you may want to avoid drinking dark beverages like wine, coffee, or soda, as they can stain your veneers. With proper care and maintenance, veneers typically last between 7-15 years.

To find out more about how dental veneers can improve your smile, call Kirkland Premier Dentistry or use the online booking tool today.