Perhaps your cosmetic dentist in Clyde, NC, suggested veneers as a viable solution to your smile issues. These wafer-thin, tooth-colored, porcelain shells can correct dental imperfections such as discoloration, chips and cracks, spaces between teeth, misshapen teeth, and minor misalignments.  

Since porcelain veneers aren’t a one-size-fits-all treatment, a veneer shape and shade that looks good on one patient may not look right on you. For this reason, dentists offer guidance in the patient’s final choice of veneers.  

a Cosmetic Dentist in Clyde NC showing a patient her new smile

Factors to Consider When Picking the Best Veneers that Suit You

Your Natural Tooth Color

Your cosmetic dentist will show you a standardized dental color chart that features various options for tooth shades. A color chart usually features 44 shades divided into four categories: reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, gray, and reddish-gray. Moreover, each category has 11 shades with varying levels of darkness. With a wide range of shades to choose from, the chart will surely include your specific tooth shade.  

Choosing the whitest colors is best if you have a fairer skin tone. Unless you pick a lighter shade that will make your teeth appear white, your skin won’t contrast with the color of your teeth. However, your veneers shouldn’t be whiter than the whites of your eyes.

In contrast, if you have a darker skin tone, you’ll want to avoid the bleaching shades and stick to naturally occurring tooth shades. Otherwise, your teeth will look fake. Since real teeth are translucent toward their edges and opaque in the center, your dentist may discuss veneer color layering to make your veneers match your natural teeth.

Your Natural Tooth Shape

Since each natural tooth has a unique shape, choosing the shape for your veneers will significantly impact the overall appeal of your smile. Your cosmetic dentist can make the selection process easier for you by creating smile libraries that showcase endless shape combinations.

Your Gender

Your gender is crucial in picking the right shape for your veneers. For instance, aggressive style veneers will suit you best if you want to create a more masculine smile. Since these square-shaped veneers produce a uniform appearance, they won’t fail to give your smile a bolder expression.  

However, if you want your smile to look more feminine, you should opt for rounded veneers that feature subtle curves.

Your Face Shape

Your veneers should complement the shape of your face. Face shapes generally fall into four categories: heart, oval, round, and square. Unless you consider the shape of your face when choosing your veneers, they won’t balance your facial features and enhance your overall appearance.

For example, if you have a heart-shaped face, you’ll look better with rounded and shorter veneers. If you have an oval-shaped face, you’ll want to choose square-shaped veneers that help widen and add fullness to your face.  

In contrast, longer and thinner veneers will work best if you have a round-shaped face. However, if you have a square-shaped face, it’s best to choose rounded veneers to soften your well-defined jaw lines.

Your Age

It’s important to note that aging causes teeth to lose length. For this reason, longer veneers can make you look younger. While using dental veneers to bulk up your teeth will help smoothen the wrinkles around your mouth area, thicker front veneers can make your lips look fuller.

a patient at the Cosmetic Dentist in Clyde NC

Looking for a Cosmetic Dentist in Clyde, NC?

At Cataloochee Dental Group, our practice is loaded with skill, experience, and technology to offer a solution for all of your dental care needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.