Did You Know… Veneers are a common dental cosmetic procedure for kids too?!
Yes, it’s true! In pediatric dentistry, veneers are a popular option to restore or improve the appearance of teeth.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are a commonly used cosmetic dental treatment that involves a thin layer of porcelain or composite material being firmly attached or cemented over the outside of a tooth.
Veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth damaged by severe cavities, cracks, discoloration or problems developing. Since they are used to primarily treat a cosmetic concern, veneers are usually only placed on parts of the teeth that are visible when talking or smiling.
There are two methods of placing veneers: Direct or Indirect.
The direct method of placing veneers involves first placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. The direct technique is often referred to as bonding because of this.
The indirect method involves two appointments because the veneers are created outside our clinic at a dental laboratory. During your child’s first appointment for veneers, the teeth are prepared and impressions are taken. If needed the teeth can be given a temporary covering. Once the veneers are back from the lab, usually in just 2-3 weeks any temporaries are removed and the custom veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory-created veneers are typically made with porcelain or pressed ceramic.
There are many benefits to veneers, especially the improved self-confidence it can give your child if they have discolored, misshapen or otherwise damaged teeth. Compared to dental crowns, veneers also require less of the tooth material to be removed and the procedure is overall more comfortable. Keep in mind, however, veneers are not recommended for patients who have significantly large fillings or very little or weak remaining tooth structure.
If you are interested in learning more about veneers for your child, call (970) 639-9551 to schedule an appointment for your child or if you have any questions regarding a specific dental procedure or condition. We are happy to assist you in any way we can!