How to Talk to a Dentist About Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a thin layer of restorative material that is applied over the surface of a tooth. Its purpose is usually cosmetic but it also may be used to protect a damaged tooth surface. It is important to know what veneers can and cannot do for you.

Instructions

• 1

  Find out if you are a good candidate for veneers. Veneers should not be applied over teeth that have active periodontal disease or an insufficient amount of enamel on their teeth. Patients who grind their teeth while asleep also are poor candidates for veneers.

• 2

  Tell your dentist what result you are trying to achieve. The most effective use of veneer is to cover teeth that are chipped, broken or worn down. Veneers also are effective in covering teeth that are misaligned or misshaped.

• 3

  Ask about using veneers to correct other problems. Your dentist will be able to tell you the expected result of applying veneers to change the color of teeth that are permanently discolored by drugs or previous dental treatment.

• 4

  Discuss the pros and cons of the different materials. Porcelain veneers look more like natural teeth and resist stains better while resin veneers require less of the tooth surface to be removed.

• 5

  Learn how long the veneers should last. They are not permanent and generally need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years depending on the specific material and techniques used.