First impressions are crucial, whether you are interviewing for a job or going on a first date. Your smile is a key part of your first impression, but many people have unsightly teeth. Whether your teeth are crooked, stained, worn down, or yellowed, porcelain veneers are a simple way to improve your smile.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very thin porcelain shells that go over the front of your teeth. They require very little tooth preparation, making them a healthier choice than crowns. As they are tightly bonded to your teeth, porcelain veneers are durable and long-lasting.
What Conditions Do Veneers Solve?
Veneers do not fix dental health issues. If your teeth are diseased or injured, you must have those problems treated before you receive veneers. However, many people have healthy teeth that do not look their best. Here are some common cosmetic issues that veneers can cover.
Wear and tear: Teeth tend to wear down over time, especially in people who tend to chew on ice or other objects, or use their teeth as a tool.
Minor breakage: Falls and other light traumas can cause one or more teeth to chip or break. While deep damage needs to be fixed, porcelain veneers can cover chips and minor breaks.
Discoloration: Teeth can become discolored for many reasons, including excessive fluoride consumption, root canals, tetracycline, and large fillings.
Misshapen or uneven teeth: Misshapen and uneven teeth are quite common, due simply to the fact that some teeth grow in more perfectly than others.
Minor gaps or crookedness: Minor gaps and slightly crooked teeth don’t necessarily need a complex treatment such as braces or Invisalign, but you might wish your teeth were a bit straighter. Porcelain veneers can help.
Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?
Very few dental treatments last a lifetime. However, porcelain veneers are one of the longer-lasting treatment options. They are strong and durable, and can easily withstand the normal forces of biting and chewing. With proper care, they can easily last for well over a decade.
In addition, porcelain veneers are less prone to staining and yellowing than natural teeth. While tooth whitening must be repeated regularly, veneers continue to look white and healthy as long as you follow excellent oral hygiene habits.
Will I Look Natural?
Many people shy away from porcelain veneers for fear of receiving a too-white, artificial-looking “game show host” smile. In reality, though, porcelain veneers are extremely natural in appearance. They mimic the translucency and sheen of real teeth and can be color-matched to your existing smile.
For a whiter smile, you might choose to have your natural teeth whitened and then your veneers color-matched to that tone. While this is a great option, keep in mind that you will need to have the whitening repeated regularly for all of your teeth to match.
Supplementary Cosmetic Dentistry
In addition to tooth whitening, your dentist might suggest further treatments to more fully enhance your smile. Invisalign is one of the most common. While minor crookedness and small gaps are easy to correct with veneers, Invisalign is best for more severely misaligned teeth. This allows us to place only the needed veneers, rather than filling up your mouth in an effort to create the impression that your teeth are straight.
Like any other cosmetic treatment, porcelain veneers are not right for everyone. Your dentist will consider the health and aesthetics of your current smile, along with your budget and your personal goals for treatment. Before any work begins, we will work hard to ensure that you have a detailed understanding of our recommendations and that all of your questions and concerns are addressed.
Married dentists Chad and Alexandra Schnabel welcome you to Savannah Dental Solutions. From caring children’s dentistry to high-tech cosmetic procedures and even full-mouth reconstruction, we blend the latest technology with traditional customer-oriented values. To start your journey to better oral health, call us today at (912) 354-1366.
