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Keen Smiles Family Dental Blog

What Are Veneers?

June 5, 2024

Keen Smiles Family Dental Clinic


What are veneers? Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that fit over the front surfaces of teeth to create beautiful, flawless, natural-looking smiles. With veneers, transforming your smile has truly never been easier. Whether you’re concerned about the color, shape, or size of your teeth, you can create a perfect smile with veneers. If you’re interested in learning more about this cosmetic treatment, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Then, scroll down to explore some of the ins and outs of veneers.

veneer samples held up to smile close-up

How Do Veneers Work?

You might be wondering how veneers manage to look natural when they’re literally adding a layer to your teeth. You might also be curious how they stay firmly attached to your teeth when you’re eating, drinking, and chewing. To satisfy your curiosity, check out our blog post How Do Veneers Work? It’s the perfect place to start if you’re wondering, “What are veneers?”

Why Do People Get Veneers?

What are veneers designed to do? People elect to get veneers for a variety of reasons, but most of those reasons center around one specific goal: a more attractive smile. You might choose to get veneers because your teeth are stained, misaligned, chipped, cracked, or simply crooked. To better understand the situations in which veneers can make a difference, check out our blog post Why Do People Get Veneers?

How Are Veneers Applied?

The application process for veneers is surprisingly quick and easy. After taking impressions and crafting your custom veneers, your dentist will adhere them to your teeth using an incredibly strong dental adhesive or cement. And afterward, you can go about the rest of your day as normal! No downtime is necessary. To explore the application process in more detail, check out our blog post How Are Veneers Applied?

How Many Veneers Do You Need?

You might automatically assume that veneers must be applied to every one of your teeth, but think about how many teeth actually show when you’re smiling. A full set of veneers is expensive and unnecessary. Instead, your dentist can help you choose how many veneers to get based on your aesthetic goals, the size of your smile, and the condition of your teeth. To learn how many veneers most people get, review our blog post How Many Veneers Do You Need?

Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Did you know veneers are available in two different materials? Porcelain veneers are what most people picture when they think about dental veneers. They’re wafer-thin pieces of porcelain designed to fit seamlessly over the front of your teeth. Composite veneers, on the other hand, are formed from dental-grade resin, which is applied directly to the tooth and shaped by the dentist to create a natural look. Both options have pros and cons, so we encourage you to explore our blog post Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers to decide which treatment best fits your needs.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Veneers last a long time, but they won’t last forever. Understanding their lifespan is important so that you can prepare for the cost of replacing them eventually. For more information, check out our blog posts How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last? and How Often Do You Have to Replace Veneers?

How to Care for Dental Veneers

The best way to ensure that your veneers last as long as possible — avoiding premature wear and tear, chips, cracks, and more — is to care for them properly. Although they don’t require any special maintenance (simply brush and floss as usual), there are some habits you ought to avoid if you want to keep your veneers in tip-top condition. Review our blog post How to Care for Dental Veneers for all the details.

What Are Veneers?

If you’re yearning for a smile makeover, veneers could be an ideal solution. If you’re interested in using veneers to revamp your smile and you live near Springfield, Missouri, visit Keen Smiles Family Dental. We are committed to your comfort and proud to offer a relaxing office environment while providing the care you need for a happier, healthier smile. If you’re ready to set up an appointment or if you have questions you’d like to go over first, please give us a call at 417-708-0556 or click here. We look forward to hearing from you!

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