Veneers 101: What to Know Before Transforming Your Smile

If you’re dreaming of a flawless smile, veneers might be the solution you’ve been looking for. At ME Dental Spa, Denis Mustedanagic, DMD, and his team specialize in creating natural-looking, long-lasting smiles with veneers. 

Here’s what you should know before leaping.

All about dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells that cover only the labial or buccal (front) surface of your teeth. They’re usually made of porcelain or composite resin.

They’re designed to correct cosmetic issues like discoloration, chips, gaps, or slightly misaligned teeth.

They address multiple cosmetic concerns and can give you a bright, even, and beautiful smile.

How does the transformation work?

It’s no secret that veneers can give your smile a 180-transformation, but all of that transformation requires several steps.  

Here’s how the process works: 

Schedule your consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Mustedanagic assesses your oral health, discusses your aesthetic goals, and determines if veneers are right for you. 

Customize your smile

If you move forward with dental veneers, Dr. Mustedanagic reviews your options with you. At Me Dental Spa, we offer two kinds of veneers: composite and porcelain. 

Composite veneers are crafted directly on your teeth and are more affordable with quicker placement, while porcelain veneers are custom-made in a lab. 

Both are superior stain resistance and a more natural, long-lasting finish. Both options can beautifully transform your smile.

Regardless of which type of veneer you choose, you can customize all elements of your smile from your tooth color to tooth shape and even size.

Prepare your teeth 

Before your veneers are applied, Dr. Mustedanagic has to prepare your teeth. To make room for your veneers, he removes a small amount of enamel. This can range from 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters, just enough to make room for your veneers to fit snugly.

The exact prep depends on what type of veneers you choose. Composite veneers, for example, are sometimes referred to as no-prep or low-prep veneers because they require less enamel removal. 

Take impressions

After your teeth are prepared, we take precise impressions of your teeth to create custom porcelain veneers that perfectly match your smile.

Placement

Once your veneers are ready, Dr. Mustedanagic uses dental-grade adhesive to bond your new veneers to your teeth.

How to take care of veneers

Once you get veneers, you’ll need to maintain them for the rest of your life. That’s because the tooth preparation process permanently alters your enamel. 

The good news? Veneers are easy to care for. Simply brush and floss as you usually do, and continue with your routine dental cleanings at our West Hollywood, California, office. 

To protect your investment, avoid biting or chewing on hard, non-food items, such as pens, ice, or fingernails, which can crack or chip your veneers. With good care, your new smile can stay beautiful for many years.

Benefits of veneers

You might consider veneers because they:

• Can deliver a bright, uniform smile that looks natural
• They are made from durable and stain-resistant materials 
• Deliver quick results compared to orthodontics 
• Boost confidence in your smile
• Address multiple cosmetic issues at once

Veneers can transform your smile even when other cosmetic treatments, like whitening treatments, don't deliver the results you want.

Are veneers right for you?

Veneers are ideal for cosmetic issues, not structural issues. Veneers are ideal for people in good oral health who want to address cosmetic imperfections. 

They’re not suitable if you have untreated decay, gum disease, or habits like teeth grinding, which can damage the veneers. 

Your consultation is necessary because even if veneers aren’t right for you, our team can recommend the best treatments, whether that’s dental implants or Invisalign clear aligners. 

Get your dream smile

Ready to explore how veneers can transform your smile? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Denis Mustedanagic and our team. You can reach our West Hollywood, California, office at  213-442-1992. Your dream smile is closer than you think!