Dental veneers are placed over your natural teeth in much the same way as press-on nails are placed over your fingernails. Unlike press-on nails, though, dental veneers are designed to last. In fact, a well maintained dental veneer is able to last up to twenty years. Maintenance is easy, too, as you take care of veneers just like you take care of your natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing, along with a visit to the dentist every six months for a professional exam and cleaning are the only steps that are needed. Once a dental veneer is placed, it is also resistant to stains and to decay.
The veneer is actually bonded to your tooth in a process that typically takes two visits to the dentist. Placing a veneer does require a thin layer of enamel to be removed from the surface of your tooth. It is typically around 0.5 mm, which is approximately the same size as the veneer itself. The reason this is done is so that the tooth is not too bulky with the veneer on it.
If you have a chipped tooth that you are looking to correct, contact our Los Angeles dental veneers expert to schedule a consultation.