5 Ways Veneers Can Improve Your Smile

 In an era of dating apps, social media, and Zoom, a confident smile has never been more important. Unfortunately, over 50% of Americans are self-conscious about their teeth, and 60% dislike how their smile looks in photos if Mother Nature didn’t bless you with a perfect set of pearly whites, cosmetic dentist Emmanuel Aguilar, DMD, can. 

At his state-of-the-art practice, American Dental Clinic, in San Diego, CA, Dr. Aguilar has transformed countless smiles with porcelain dental veneers. Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth, camouflaging more smile flaws than you may realize. 

Here are the five most common reasons Dr. Aguilar’s patients choose veneers.

1. Get a whiter smile

Professional teeth whitening works well for many stains, but not all. If your discoloration is due to a medication or an injury that darkened your dentin, these products may not be effective. In these instances, veneers are recommended. They cover up your stained teeth with the porcelain shells. And unlike the enamel on your teeth, veneers are stain-resistant.

2. Fix broken or chipped teeth

Teeth are sturdy; still, they’re vulnerable to cracks and chips. Whether yours is the result of chewing on ice (never a good idea)  or an accident on the soccer field, Dr. Aguilar can easily repair the damage by bonding it to a veneer. Doing so not only hides the crack but also reinforces your damaged tooth.

3. Improve symmetry

If your front teeth are too small, are misshapen, or misaligned, the asymmetry can also be remedied with veneers.

4. Close gaps

Orthodonture isn’t always the answer to closing gaps between teeth. Often, veneers can do the job much more quickly and without the discomfort of shape brackets and wires.

Worn-down teeth

About 10% of adults grind their teeth at night (a condition known as bruxism). Why does it matter? Because even though your teeth are made of tough stuff, they were meant to chew on food, not each other. If it becomes a habit, it can wear down your teeth and severely damage them. 

If you grind your teeth but they’re still in good shape, prevent the worst-case scenario by cutting out known culprits such as high stress and excessive caffeine. If necessary, use a mouth guard to protect your teeth from damage when you’re asleep and unable to control it.

But if your teeth are already worn down and causing you pain or embarrassment, we can restore them with porcelain veneers. The shape and color will suit your smile and be fully functional.

It’s important to note that if you’re a grinder, you need to get the problem under control before opting for veneers, because, even though they’re durable, they can still chip or break under too much pressure.

If you dislike your smile, learn how veneers can change that. Book a consultation with Dr. Aguilar at American Dental today.