By Annette Brooks
It’s natural to feel like hiding your smile when you’re self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. Some of us go so far as to try not to smile openly at all. I know because I used to do this. Finally, I invested in porcelain veneers — thin, custom-made, tooth-colored porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. The results were life-changing, boosting my self-confidence and positively changing how others perceived me. And here’s something that may surprise you. With proper care, I’ve had the same set of veneers for 25 years, and they still look amazing!
If you’re ready to improve your smile, read on to learn more about porcelain veneers and why they are a popular choice in cosmetic dentistry.
Aesthetic Enhancement:
Veneers can be used to fix teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, or broken. They can also address teeth with gaps and that are slightly misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped.
Natural Appearance:
Porcelain’s translucent quality closely mimics the look and luster of natural tooth enamel. This means that veneers can provide a very natural tooth appearance.
Stain Resistance:
Porcelain is a strong, non-porous ceramic material that’s resistant to stains compared to natural tooth enamel. This can be particularly beneficial for people who consume stain-causing drinks and foods such as coffee, tea, wine, berries, and more.
Durability:
Porcelain veneers are durable and can last many years with proper care. However, they are not indestructible and can be damaged or chipped like natural teeth. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits are also essential to maintain good oral health and the longevity of veneers.
Minimally Invasive:
The process of getting veneers involves removing a small amount of the tooth’s enamel to prepare for the veneer. This is generally less invasive than other dental procedures like crowns.
Customization:
Veneers are custom-made for each patient. This means their shape, size, and color are tailored to fit your natural teeth and facial structure and to meet your aesthetic goals. Generally, rounded teeth shapes are considered more feminine, while square teeth tend to look more masculine. When choosing a shade, you can select almost anything you want, including mega-watt white. Many people have their teeth professionally whitened first and then match the color of the veneers to those teeth.
If all this sounds a bit daunting, don’t worry. Many cosmetic dentists use advanced imaging technology during smile design and will show you what your new smile can look like before you begin the veneer process.
Quick Process:
The entire process usually requires two or three visits to the dentist — one for a consultation, one to prep your teeth, and one to apply the veneers. The total time from consultation to final placement is usually around three weeks.
Gum Tolerance:
Since porcelain veneers are biocompatible, they’re unlikely to harm your gums and surrounding tissues. This minimizes the risk of gum irritation or adverse reactions.
What About No-prep Veneers?
Depending on the condition of your teeth and what you’re trying to accomplish aesthetically, you may be a good candidate for no-prep veneers.
No-prep veneers, such as the brand Lumineers, need less tooth preparation (trimming) before they are applied than traditional veneers and are considered reversible. A trade-off is they’re less durable than regular veneers, and they may not be an effective solution for hiding severely stained or damaged teeth or lengthening short teeth.
Ask your dentist to compare traditional and no-prep veneers and determine if no-prep will work for you. If you’re not an ideal candidate, don’t be dismayed. Quality dentists today take a conservative approach to traditional veneers and try to retain as much of the natural tooth as possible.
If this is important to you, look for a cosmetic dentist who prioritizes the preservation of the natural tooth versus aggressively sacrificing tooth structure.
Read more about dental upgrades HERE on LivingMagazine.net
