Before you being the process of dental veneers with your dentist, you should know about some of the things that can go wrong. Having this information before you begin your therapy allows you to ask important questions and to make the best choice for you and your smile.

Dental veneers are extremely thin wafers made from resin, porcelain or other materials that are adhered to the front side of your teeth that give the appearance of a beautiful, perfect smile to those who have imperfections to their natural smiles. Veneers can cover discolored, chipped, gapped or crooked teeth.

Some veneer types require that your natural tooth be ground down to provide a space for the dental veneers. This is a permanent change and cannot be undone. There is no current means to add enamel to your natural teeth. Because of this permanence, veneers should be researched before being pursued.

Potential problems with dental veneers include:

• Gaps between the veneer and the tooth that can lead to bacteria buildup, infection and decay
• The dentist accidentally grinding down too far and exposing a nerve, causing pain and potentially leading to a root canal
• Poorly constructed veneers that do not meet properly at the tooth margins – where the tooth meets the gum line – causing the gums to swell or bleed
• Veneers that fall off from poor application or from poor patient habits such as nail biting or chewing ice, pencils or pens
• Veneers that look puffy or are too long, affecting patient bite and leading to jaw pain
• Veneers that don’t look real because they are too large, too white, or lack appropriate surface texture
• Discoloration of the bonding agent or natural teeth due to poor hygiene habits

At our Toronto dental office, veneers can work miracles when it comes to making over a problematic smile. They can be enjoyed for an average of ten years before they might need to be replaced. If you are considering dental veneers, talk to your dentist today. Insist on seeing before and after photos done by that dentist to ensure that you are making the right choice for your smile goals.