Are Veneers Right For Me?

Nowadays, much of what used to be found only among the Hollywood glitterati have become more and more mainstream. 

We used to think of dog-walking as something for only a Beyoncé or a Brittany Spears, but dog walkers are more a part of the landscape of American life. 

Ditto for veneers. Invented in 1928 by Dr. Charles Pincus, himself a native of Los Angeles, veneers started out as primarily a theatrical tool. As a matter of fact, Dr. Pincus originally invented veneers as a snap-on solution for actors to employ during film shoots! It wasn’t until the 1980s that veneers even came into existence as we think of them today! 

Still, you’re probably thinking, “are veneers right for me?” Well, that’s what we at the Belle Meade Smile Studio asked Dr. Shipp to go over with us. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about veneers. Read on to learn more! 

What are they?

First thing first – a veneer is a thin layer of material; generally, porcelain or ceramic laid over the teeth. 

At the Belle Meade Smile Center of Nashville, we custom-make each veneer to blend seamlessly with your maxillofacial system (that is, your teeth, jaws, and surrounding facial structures).  

Your veneers will respond to light just as your natural teeth would. Additionally, they have a bit of a leg up on your natural tooth enamel, as they won’t discolor and wear over time. 

Are they a good fit for me?

Dr. Shipp is a highly-trained expert who’s practiced in Nashville for over 25 years, and he has the experience and know-how to determine whether veneers will work well with your particular case. Dr. Shipp may recommend veneers if you suffer from the following:

  • discolored or stained teeth
  • chipped, broken, or worn-down teeth
  • crooked, uneven, misaligned, or irregularly-shaped teeth
  • gaps between the teeth

Veneers are an aesthetic treatment and require that the underlying health of your teeth and gums be acceptable to be appropriate. If you suffer from issues such as excessive cavities, gum diseases such as gingivitis, or broken teeth, you will need to address these issues first. 

Luckily, Dr. Ship was certified by ten professional organizations precisely to treat these issues! Once your tooth and gum are in good shape, you will become an excellent candidate for veneers.  

How Can They Help?

Whether Dr. Ship recommends porcelain or composite veneers, your veneers will provide numerous benefits. Not only are they great for taking care of chipped or discolored teeth, but they’re also very effective treatments if your teeth are uneven or too small. And they will appear entirely natural! 

The aesthetics of your smile are important, and at Belle Meade Smile Center, we want you to feel empowered to imagine the smile you want! 

Not only that, but your veneers will serve as an extra line of protection for your teeth from the harmful bacteria that leads to tooth decay. However, it’s still essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene with your veneers. That leads us to…

Taking Care of Your Veneers. 

When it comes to making sure your veneers stay in great shape, there’s nothing to it! 

Well, not nothing. But you won’t have to do anything more than you would typically do to maintain your dental health. That means brushing and flossing regularly and correctly! 

Brushing and Flossing 

The American Dental Association recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle for at least two minutes. Be sure to brush vigorously enough to penetrate the nooks and crannies of the teeth and reach the gum line, but not so aggressively that you find you’re experiencing discomfort. 

Flossing is important! The American Dental Hygiene Association tells us to guide floss between the teeth in a zig-zag motion. Be sure and wrap the floss around the teeth, and slide the floss up and down the tooth and to the gum line.

Come by and see us! 

Another tool in a successful oral hygiene program’s toolkit is regular dentist visits! Dr. Shipp loves his work, and he’s always happy to see his patients thriving under his care, so don’t be a stranger! 

You should plan on making a regular schedule of twice-yearly check-ups to ensure that your veneers are in great shape. 

Are Veneers Right For Me?

Why not call? 

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about your veneers! At the Belle Meade Smile Center, we take pride in offering the latest in advanced dental techniques to our patients while ensuring that we never forget that the foundation of our practice is individualized care that makes you feel less like a customer and more like a member of the family! 

Consultations are 100% free of charge, so call today and find out if dental veneers are right for you!