In Brighter smile family dentistry you should first know what suits your teeth shape and smile.
Who Is A Candidate For Porcelain Veneers?
If you have rotated, crooked, chipped and stained teeth, you may be a great candidate for porcelain veneers. They are often the treatment of choice to improve your smile if you desire a change in shape and color, or if you have worn down edges. Of course, the dentist in our clinic will assess and evaluate whether you are a candidate for veneers or crowns a consultation visit.
Do I Need Porcelain Veneers?
When stains prove too significant for tooth whitening to eliminate, you might want to consider porcelain veneers. These thin dental “contact lenses” like porcelain slivers adhere to the front of teeth, instantly masking discoloration that would otherwise detract from their appearance. Porcelain veneers can also address minor misalignment issues when you opt not to consider orthodontic treatment. So if you have mildly crooked and rotated teeth, it might be a good idea to have a discussion about having porcelain veneers!
Are There Other Types Of Veneers?
There are 2 types of veneers that differ in the material from which they are made
Composite resin veneers can be created chair side by the dentist through direct bonding and will cover the front of your teeth. Sometimes the cost can be lower, however, they will stain over time as the composite surface can wear or be more prone to darkening by exposure to liquids and food. Porcelain or ceramic veneers can be fabricated with various techniques, but the porcelain is a non-porous, high strength ceramic material that is very durable and will not stain over time.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are created in combination with your dentist (hopefully your prosthodontist!) and a dental laboratory technologist. Once completed, they are secured to your teeth with bonding and can either conservatively enhance or drastically improve your smile. The veneers are created using porcelain or resin composite, and when meticulously executed, they almost become part of your natural teeth. After your consultation, the procedure begins with your dentist shaving off a small amount of your tooth to make room for the veneer. Then an impression or an intraoral scan will be made capturing information from which the veneer can be fabricated. At a second appointment, your dentist will try in and then bond the veneer and make any final adjustments before bonding the veneer to your tooth.
Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile and show off healthy, white teeth. Sometimes it can take some assistance to get the smile you’ve always wanted. Age, heredity, lifestyle choices and accidents can all affect the way your teeth look and function. If you have been considering improving your smile, a Dentist at our brighter smile family can help you.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers are simply a layer of material that can be placed over a tooth to help improve the overall aesthetics of one’s smile while also being able to help protect the tooth’s surface from any damage.
Veneers are custom-designed to fit over your teeth and are typically made from porcelain or a composite resin material. They are useful in fixing broken or chipped teeth, stained teeth, worn down and misaligned teeth, and even teeth that may be experiencing some abnormal spacing.
The veneers, or shells, are often very thin and are made to blend in with the rest of your teeth. Before fitting the veneers, the dentist will remove a bit of the tooth’s enamel and take a mold of the tooth the veneer will be placed over. The mold is then sent to the lab which can take several days to come back before you can be given the veneers.
Just like with your natural teeth, it is very important that you maintain regular brushing and flossing for the veneers to ensure good oral health. It is also recommended that you continue to go to your scheduled cleanings with the dentist, so they can catch any problems there may be early on that could affect the health of your teeth and gums.
When properly taken care of, porcelain veneers can last a person up to ten years because over time, the porcelain that is being used becomes more durable and a lot stronger which could mean longer lifetimes for veneers in the future.
However, just like your natural teeth, they can become damaged, and wear can occur. When this happens, the veneers may need to be replaced or repaired. Just like your natural teeth, the porcelain veneers can chip, stain, and break and damage the surface of the tooth.
To avoid this damage, follow good oral habits by brushing and flossing at least twice a day, wear oral protection if you play a sport to protect your teeth from any damage, and if you suspect you may be grinding your teeth at night, discuss options for a mouthguard with your dentist to help prevent any tooth damage in the long run.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions, so get an appointment today.