If you are consulting with a cosmetic dentist to improve the appearance of teeth marred by issues like chips, cracks or deep stains, porcelain veneers may be recommended for your case. This versatile treatment option can be used to correct a variety of conditions, and the veneers are handcrafted to the patient’s unique specifications to ensure a good blend with the natural teeth surrounding the treated tooth or teeth. The overall result is a more beautiful smile.
The veneers are tailored to your needs because the cosmetic dentist will take measurements, photos and dental impressions of your smile to capture the data needed to determine the design of the veneers. The shade of the porcelain, which looks quite similar to biological tooth enamel, can also be customized to match your other teeth. Keep in mind, however, that the shade of veneers cannot be altered further after the veneer is bonded to the tooth, so if you want to have teeth whitening treatments on the rest of your smile, you should do so before your veneers are placed.
Your dentist may need to prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for the veneer, depending on its thickness. When the veneers are ready to be placed, you will return to the office to have them bonded to your teeth using a strong dental cement. Make sure that you are satisfied with the appearance of the veneers before they are bonded to your teeth because no changes can be made after that point.
You may think that porcelain would be too fragile to hold up over years of biting, chewing and talking, but after the veneer is bonded to the tooth, the material becomes quite strong. In fact, if you take good care of them, your porcelain veneers can last for years.
Patients who want to improve the appearance of their smiles often can get the results they desire from porcelain veneers. To learn more about this treatment option, schedule a consultation at our office.
