4 Benefits of Getting Dental Veneers in 2021

Did you know that the human bite can exert 150 to 200 pounds per square inch (psi) of force? Granted, that’s only a fraction of a crocodile’s bite strength of 3,700 psi. Still, 890 newtons is enough to let you chomp down gummy steaks.

The enamel, the hardest mineral in the body, also makes your chompers strong and durable. With a Mohs hardness rating of 5, it’s harder than gold, silver, copper, and even steel. However, being as brittle as glass, it’s also easy to chip, crack, or break.

If you have such damages on your teeth, dental veneers may just be the restoration method you need.

Ready to learn how exactly teeth veneers can help your teeth and overall oral health? Then read on, as we’ll share with you some of their top benefits that would make you want to get them this year!

1. Fix and Hide Those Minor Teeth Surface Damages

Using your teeth for things other than food can expose them to surfaces harder than they can handle. Such activities also apply an unnatural amount of force and stress on the teeth.

An example is using the teeth in place of your hands, such as when you hold a flashlight between your teeth. Opening bottle caps, cracking nuts, and chomping down on ice are some other examples.

The thing is, brittle materials subjected to excessive stress are easy to fracture. That’s because they absorb little energy, which is why they take on most of the brunt of external forces. Since the dental enamel is brittle, improper use and lack of care can wear it away and make it more prone to breakage.

This is especially true for your incisors (front teeth), considering their placement. Being at the very front, your incisors get more exposure to more hazards than your molars.

Veneers, which are extremely thin and shell-like, cover the teeth’s front surface. Dentists bond these shells to the teeth’s outermost layer to change their appearance. They can alter the teeth’s color, length, shape, or even size.

It’s in this way that dental veneers can restore minor teeth surface damages.

2. Smoothen Those Unsightly Rough Spots

Enamel wears down with age, but conditions like bruxism can hasten its deterioration. Bruxism, which one in three people have, is the unintentional grinding of the teeth. It causes unnecessary stress and friction on the teeth, “shaving off” parts of the enamel over time.

Rough spots are a result of the uneven wearing of the enamel. On the incisors, worn enamel may take the form of irregular or crooked areas on the teeth’ biting surfaces.

Note that enamel erosion can also afflict the outermost, visible layer of the teeth. Premature wear often occurs due to excessive consumption of acidic food and beverages. Poor dental hygiene makes it worse, as the bacteria in the mouth also release acids.

All these acids can erode the enamel, causing those rough spots on teeth surfaces. Left untreated, worn enamel heightens your risk for dental cavities and tooth breakage. It also makes the teeth more prone to staining and discoloration.

Resin composite or porcelain veneers can help fix these issues caused by worn enamel. Since they cover the entire front surface of the teeth, they also address existing stains. However, porcelain veneers are more durable and resistant to discoloration than composite.

If bruxism is the cause of enamel wear, though, you may have to wear a mouth guard or splint, too. These devices act as a barrier between the teeth, lessening the impact of clenching. A general dentist can create a customized dental guard that you can use at night.

As such, it’s best you search online for “general dentistry near me” if you have worn enamel and bruxism. General dentists provide not only veneers but also mouth guards to treat bruxism. They can also prescribe medications to help ease the pain that teeth grinding can cause.

3. Make Your Teeth Uniform in Size and Shape

Microdontia, a condition in which the teeth are smaller than normal, affects 1.5% to 2% of the population. It can affect both baby teeth and permanent teeth. It usually affects the maxillary lateral incisors (the teeth beside the front-most teeth).

Developmental issues can also cause teeth other than the canine to come out with sharp ends. There are also cases wherein the teeth develop an irregular shape.

If any of these issues affect your front teeth, dental veneers can help correct them. Your dentist can customize their shape and size to match the rest of your teeth.

4. Bridge Those Small Gaps Between Your Pearly Whites

“Diastema” is a medical term that refers to an unnatural gap or space between the teeth. They usually occur between the upper front teeth, but they can affect any other teeth.

While not a major health concern, a diastema can be wide enough to allow the other teeth to move or “shift.” This is especially true for patients with gaps between several teeth.

Over time, the teeth can shift enough to result in a malocclusion (bad bite) or misaligned teeth. According to experts, these problems can raise one’s risks for tooth decay. An improper bite can also put you at a higher risk for abnormal teeth wearing or even physical damages.

Veneers provide a quick, painless way to bridge minor diastemas without orthodontics. If the gaps between your teeth aren’t that wide, veneers can be enough to cover those hollow spaces.

Dental Veneers Can Give You a Healthier, More Dazzling Smile

As you can see, dental veneers can help restore worn, chipped, cracked, broken, or stained teeth. In doing so, they also help protect your front teeth from tooth decay and further damage. And, in case you’re wondering how long veneers last, know that the porcelain ones can last for up to 20 years or more.

All those benefits should be enough to make you want to consider getting veneers this 2021.

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