Studies show that more than a quarter of all people don’t like smiling because of how their teeth look. Fortunately, modern dentistry has come a long way. There are several different cosmetic dentistry options that people can choose from to help them get that perfect smile — like veneers.
In this article, we’ll tell you how to choose the best veneers for your smile. Keep reading to learn more.
Different Types of Veneers
Dental veneers are a great way to get the perfect smile you’ve always wanted. However, choosing veneers isn’t a “one-and-done” kind of procedure. There are several different options to choose from.
Different categories include:
- Material
- Process
- Placement
Let’s take a deeper look at the different types of veneers.
Material
Recently, the choices for veneer materials have grown dramatically. There are dozens of materials to choose from, but they can be broken down into three main groups: plastic, ceramic, and composite (a combination of plastic and ceramic).
Plastic veneers come in different types, like:
- Costume veneers
- Low-cost veneers
- Removable veneers
- Temporary veneers
They can be made of several different types of plastics, but acrylic is the strongest and highest kind.
Ceramic veneers (often referred to as porcelain veneers because of their color) are made from a combination of ceramics. They are the most attractive and durable veneers.
Composite veneers combine both materials and get the best of both worlds: the strength of ceramic and the flexibility of plastic.
Process
There are different ways that a cosmetic dentist can add dental veneers to your mouth. These different processes can impact the results, so it’s important to be aware of them.
In the traditional process, the dentist will remove a little bit of material from your natural teeth. This makes room for the veneer to make a smooth and natural connection. After taking impressions of your teeth, the dentist can cement the veneers perfectly to your natural teeth.
Temporary veneers, as the name suggests, are just for the short term. They are often used for the period before you get traditional veneers fit. Although they look good, they are not durable and only last a few weeks.
CAD/CAM veneers (also known as same-day veneers) can be finished in a single day. This is done with digital impressions to design the veneer.
Lastly, direct veneers are quite different from all of the other ones (indirect veneers). The others are created first, then added to the teeth. However, direct veneers are made directly on the teeth.
Placement
There are three different placement options for veneers.
Window veneers, also known as facial veneers, cover the front of the teeth. However, it doesn’t go all the way up to the part of the teeth that crush into food.
Incisal veneers go a little bit further up to the incisal edge and back down the edge of the tooth. This is the most common type of dental veneer placement.
Palatal veneers are made to go on the backs of teeth. Although this may seem unusual because these are not seen often, they are used for teeth that are badly damaged. It helps protect and repair teeth to preserve the natural tooth structure.
How to Choose the Best Veneers For Your Smile
Now that you know the different types of veneers, it’s time to choose which ones to get. But how do you do that? Let’s take a look at a few guiding tips to help you choose.
Think About Your Tooth Size
When choosing your veneers, it’s important to consider your teeth’s natural shape and which ones will need veneers. there are three different types of teeth:
- Incisors
- Pre-molars
- Molars
Ask your dentist which teeth will need veneers and what material fits them the most.
Consider the Type of Smile You Want
Whether you know it or not, your smile has a very specific shape — and your teeth play a huge part in it. Choosing the right shape for your veneers is crucial for getting your dream smile.
Because every tooth is different, there are basically endless combinations that you can choose from. There are several different categories for smiles, so it’s important to know what kind you want to portray. They include:
- Aggressive
- Dominant
- Enhanced
- Focused
- Functional
- Hollywood
- Mature
- Natural
- Oval
- Softened
- Vigorous
- Youthful
Consider your personality and the smile you want to portray when choosing your veneers.
Choose the Right Color
There are several different colors to choose from when you get your veneers. There is a standardized color chart that is divided into four categories:
- Gray
- Reddish-yellow
- Reddish-brown
- Reddish-gray
Within each of those categories is eleven sub-categories with more tones. The best color for your veneers is usually about two shades lighter than your natural teeth.
Consider Your Face Shape
The overall shape of your face is another important factor when it comes to selecting your veneers. Most shapes fall under four categories:
- Heart
- Oval
- Round
- Square
Each of the face shapes has optimal tooth shapes and sizes that help balance the rest of your features.
Heart-shaped faces usually look great with shorter and rounded veneers. Oval-shaped faces look ideal with square teeth because they add fullness to the face. Round-shaped faces look great with longer and more pronounced veneers. Finally, square-shaped faces fit best with rounded teeth to soften other features.
Get the Perfect Veneers For Your Face
Now that you know all of the different types of veneers, it’s time to get the best veneers for your smile.
No matter what material, process, and placement you choose to go with, it’s important to work with a dentist group that you trust. If you’re in Southern California, look no further than Newbury Dental Group.
We work with the latest technologies and procedures in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Come make an appointment today!