How to Make Veneers Look Natural

Few people are born with perfect teeth. Braces, whitening treatments, retainers and electric toothbrushes are just a few tactics for polishing up a set of chompers, but for those with the need and finances, dental veneers, a thin covering placed over the tooth to give an aesthetic appearance, can be an excellent option. Working with a dentist, there are steps patients can take to have natural-looking veneers and a beautiful smile.

Things You'll Need

• Veneers
• A Dentist

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Instructions

Consult with a Dentist

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  Make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist.

  Make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist, who will examine the teeth and determine if a patient is eligible for veneers. Make sure the dentist is state certified to practice and feel free to ask for patient referrals to make sure former customers are satisfied with the work they had done.

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  Veneers should not be "too perfect".

  Discuss the shape and style of the veneers with the dentist. Some veneers are actually too perfect looking, made of flawless, rectangular teeth which lack character and look unnatural. In the New York Times, Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans described how he encourages patients to allow him to "slightly rotate a tooth, or to vary the length of teeth," and he's discovered "that if someone has perfectly symmetrical features and you put perfectly symmetrical teeth on that face, you ruin their face." Making the teeth a little less perfect (but still attractive) can go a long way in achieving a great smile.

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  Teeth should be white, but not too white.

  Take color into consideration. Even the brightest smile is not perfectly white, but has a little bit of ivory or shading. Veneers can reflect natural translucent light, giving teeth a natural glow, while hiding old discoloration. According to dental-picture-show.com, the dentist will select a "shade value representing the color of the tooth structure that will lie underneath the veneer and needs to be masked," to give the best result, one that is natural, not blinding.

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  A dentist will prep the teeth for veneers.

  Prepare for the first step of the procedure, having teeth filed down so the veneers can be applied. A form of anesthesia will be used, so it may be necessary to secure a ride home after the appointment. The dentist will make a mold the teeth to create veneers suited to each patient before sending it to a lab where they will be created.

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  Enjoy a new smile.

  Schedule a follow up appointment. A couple of weeks after having the veneers put on, meet again with the dentist so they can make sure everything is as it should be, and that the gums are responding well to the veneers.

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