Dental Veneers: What Are They & Why Should the Columbia, SC Community Care?

A beautiful smile can change your life — and it can change the lives of those around you, too. 

It gives you the confidence and self-esteem needed to carry yourself proudly, but can also improve your interactions with others and leave a lasting impression in both personal and professional settings. 

And let’s not forget about the ripple effect of a genuine smile. 

Because smiles are contagious — and one often becomes many. 

But like most dentists in the Columbia, SC community, we meet a lot of wonderful people who are either too embarrassed or feel self-conscious of the imperfections in their smile — no matter how big or small. 

We see you, we hear you, and we have a solution that can give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. 

Porcelain vs. No-Prep: What Are Dental Veneers? 

You’ve probably heard about or seen dental veneers in a commercial recently, but what exactly are they?

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth. They’re typically made of porcelain and are merely cosmetic in nature, meaning there’s no direct medical benefit.

With that said, veneers can address a variety of dental imperfections, including: 

• Discolored or stained teeth (yellow teeth)
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Misshapen or uneven teeth
• Worn-down or eroded teeth
• Misaligned or crooked teeth

Here at Soda City Dentistry, we offer two types of dental veneers: traditional and minimal-prep veneers. 

As the name suggests, minimal-prep veneers don’t require a permanent fitting. It’s a much simpler alternative to the traditional method and can often be completed in just one visit — as opposed to two.

Dr. Rob Guerrero meets with each individual patient to determine which route is right for them. 

Are You a Candidate for Dental Veneers? 

As much as we’d love to tell you dental veneers are a good fit for everyone, the truth is they’re not. 

It’s a harsh reality, but one we’re prepared to help you overcome. 

To qualify as a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers, certain basic requirements must be met.

For starters, dental veneers are generally reserved for people with healthy teeth and gums. Any existing issues, such as tooth decay, cavities or gum disease, should be addressed before getting veneers. 

Here are some other requirements that must be met: 

• Patients must have a sufficient amount of tooth enamel
• Your teeth and bite should be relatively well-aligned
• Patients who avoid grinding their teeth are good candidates
• Patients must not suffer from severe tooth sensitivity
• Patients must have realistic expectations with the treatment
• Patients must be committed to practicing good oral hygiene

If you’re deemed a candidate for dental veneers, Dr. Rob Guerrero will put together a treatment plan based on your wants and needs. If you’re not a good candidate, we’ll help you find a safer alternative. 

What to Expect From the Procedure

Once you decide to move forward with the procedure, treatment can be broken down into three steps: 

Tooth preparation, placement and aftercare.

Preparation often begins by removing a thin layer of dental enamel from each tooth receiving a veneer. This will allow the veneers to sit flush with your natural teeth and seamlessly blend in with your smile.

Your dentist will also take impressions of your teeth and give you temporary veneers for the time being.

At your next appointment, the final veneers are bonded to your teeth.

A special adhesive is applied to your teeth and the veneers are carefully placed and positioned. A curing light is used to harden the adhesive and secure the veneers in place before cleaning and polishing them.

How to Properly Care for Your Veneers

After your veneers are in place, your dentist may schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure they’re fitting properly and that you’re happy with the result. They will also ask if you feel any pain or discomfort.

Once everyone is satisfied, your dentist will give you a set of aftercare instructions to follow. 

It’s important to follow those instructions carefully, which may or may not require you to: 

• Practice good oral hygiene daily
• Use a soft toothbrush and dentist-recommended toothbrush
• Schedule regular dental checkups throughout the year
• Avoid chewing on hard objects such as ice, your fingernails, pens, and pencils
• Avoid grinding and clenching your teeth
• Avoid foods that might stain your teeth, such as coffee and soda
• Quit smoking or seek professional help if you’re not ready to quit smoking

With proper care, your new smile can last anywhere between 10 and 20 years before needing to be replaced. That’s not a bad reward for something that might take a few hours in total to complete. 

And just think about all the positive things that’ll come from it as a result. 

It could be the simple makeover you’ve been waiting for!

Not only will you need to care for your teeth, but you’ll need to care for all the added attention you get when people start to grow mesmerized by your radiant smile — which isn’t a bad problem to have!

Soda City Dentistry: It’s Still Your Smile. Just Reimagined.

Are you unhappy with your smile? Do you often hide your smile because you don’t like how it looks? Are you jealous of people who have a beautiful smile? Would life be a lot easier if you had an attractive smile?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then you’ve come to the right place!

Welcome to Soda City Dentistry — your local Columbia, SC dental veneers guru. 

Choosing to enhance your smile with dental veneers is a major life decision, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But don’t worry, Soda City Dentistry is here to guide you through it every step of the way. 

It’s still your smile — we’re just bringing out the best of it. 

Don’t let insecurities about your smile hold you back any longer. Contact our Columbia, SC office today to learn more about dental veneers and how they can transform your smile — and your confidence!

You can reach us by contacting (803)-794-5430 or by filling out our contact form online.