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Teeth Veneers: Choosing The Perfect Shade And Shape For You

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Now that you have finally decided to get the dental veneers you have always wanted, you still have a few decisions left to make. Dental veneers are not one-size-fits-all, and that is one feature that is great about them. While the end goal is to have a great-looking set of teeth, the shape and shade of veneers that looks best on one person may not look the best on another. While your dentist will help guide you in your final choices, it is great to already have an idea of how you want your veneers to look before you and your dentist collaborate. 

Choosing Your Shade of White

Forget what you learned in grade school about white being just one color, because there are many shades of white you get to choose from when picking out your dental veneers. You want to pick a shade of white that looks like a bright, healthy set of natural teeth. If you go too white, then your new smile can look unnatural. 

Veneer shade charts typically start with a few shades with the prefix B. These are shades that are lighter than the majority of any natural teeth, and the B stands for "Bleached". The next group of shades then starts with the letter A, then B, and so on. 

Your skin tone plays a large role in determining the lightest veneer shade that will look natural on you. While people with very fair skin can look great in B shades, darker skin tones look best in A shades. A dental expert also recommends making sure that your veneer shade is no lighter than the whites of your eyes for a natural look. 

Also, ask your dentist if he or she performs veneer color layering. This can make veneers look even more like real teeth, as natural teeth tend to look more opaque in their thicker centers and more translucent toward the edges of them. 

Picking the Best Veneer Shape for Your Smile

Once you have chosen the veneer shade you and your dentist feel is perfect for you, choosing the veneer shape is another task to tackle. 

There are several factors to consider when choosing veneer shapes:

Your face shape. Faces come in many shapes, and the right veneers should complement your face shape well and can even help make your face appear more like the shape you wish it was. For example, if you want to make your round face appear thinner and more oval, then veneers that are a bit longer and less wide can help visually slim your face. On the contrary, if you have a long, thin face, then shorter, wider veneers can be perfect for you. 

Your gender. Gender plays a huge role in what shape veneers will look best for you. More "masculine" smiles are typically created with relatively square veneers. Women who want their smiles to look feminine, however, should stay away from very square veneers and opt for more rounded ones. 

Your age. If you are getting veneers to rejuvenate your older smile, then the right veneers can help make you look years younger. Teeth naturally lose a bit of length during the aging process, so lengthening your teeth a bit can make you look younger. Also, bulking up your teeth a little more can help smooth wrinkles around your mouth area. Thicker front veneers can even give you the look of poutier, fuller lips. 

While these guidelines can help give you an idea of the veneer shape that will complement your face and smile best, remember that your dentist also has to take your current smile into consideration when designing your new smile. Use these guidelines, but always take your dentist's advice if his or her opinion differs from them.

Getting dental veneers is a great decision if you want a smile you can finally be proud of. Choosing the right shade and shape of your new veneers can help ensure your new smile looks natural and flatters your face. 

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