Dental veneers are thin covers that stick to the teeth with an adhesive to hide things like gaps between teeth, chipped or stained teeth, or oddly shaped teeth. Veneers are a possible solution for those looking for a more ideal smile. There are two main types of veneers and Dr. Jamie Talley will help you decide which option is best for you: porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are made to fit each tooth and carry benefits like durability, a natural look, the fact that they don’t easily become stained because of beverages or foods. Composite resin veneers are made from a filler that is the color of teeth and bring some different advantages to the table, like fewer visits to the dentist in the process, lower expense, and easy repair if they do become damaged.

The first step in applying veneers is making room for them. Dr. Jamie Talley will remove a small layer of enamel from the front and sides of your teeth so that your new veneers still appear a natural size. ​ PORCELAIN VENEERS If you are receiving porcelain veneers, a mold of your teeth will be made, which is sent to a dental lab where your veneers are made just to fit your teeth. You may receive temporary veneers to wear until your personal veneers are created. When they arrive, Dr. Talley will place them on your teeth to ensure quality fitting, clean the teeth, and then bond the veneers to your teeth. At later appointments, Dr. Talley may make other change or adjustments as well. ​ COMPOSITE VENEERS If you and Dr. Talley have chosen composite resin veneers, Dr. Talley will bond and shape the composite onto your tooth, achieving a natural shape and color. The material is then hardened, using a special light. After it is bonded to your teeth, the new surface is polished to look natural and smooth.

After your veneers are placed, there is no recovery process. However, you will need to be sure to stay away from chewing hard things, like ice, hard candies, or non-food items like pencils or fingernails. Veneers can break although they are very sturdy.

Although veneers are a great solution for many people looking to improve their smiles, they are unfortunatley not for people with active periodontal disease or tooth decay. These problems should be fully treated and rectified before proceeding with veneer placement. In addition, patients who grind their teeth or have issues with jaw clenching may find that their dentists do not recommend veneers, because these habits can crack or break veneers. Although veneers can cover stained or misshapen teeth, veneers cannot cover up severe misalignment, so talk with Jamie C. Talley, DDS about the reasons you want them and whether your expectations are realistic.