Tag Archives: porcelain veneers
Are Porcelain Veneers Worth the Investment?
Are Porcelain Veneers Worth the Investment?
Although it can be frustrating, the truth is that first impressions make a difference. Whether you are on a first date or a job interview, a gorgeous, relaxed smile conveys trustworthiness, confidence, and sincerity. If your teeth do not look their best, though, you may be tempted to hide them. Fortunately, porcelain veneers are an excellent way to fix staining, chipping, and other cosmetic imperfections. Yet many people wonder whether they are truly worth the investment. Here is what you should know.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of top-quality dental porcelain that slip over the teeth. Strong, durable, and chemically bonded to the teeth, they can last for many years. Porcelain veneers are color-matched to your natural teeth, ensuring that they are not noticeable.
What Conditions Can Veneers Fix?
If you have existing oral health problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease, we must correct them before placing your veneers. Porcelain veneers can fix a wide range of cosmetic issues, such as:
Wear and tear: All teeth wear down over time, especially if you use them as a tool or are prone to chewing on pens, ice, or other hard objects.
Mild breakage: Teeth may crack or chip from light trauma such as a fall or a sports injury. Extensive damage must be repaired, but porcelain veneers can hide minor breaks.
Discoloration: Deep staining and discoloration that cannot be fixed with teeth whitening may be caused by large fillings, root canals, excessive fluoride, and even some medications.
Misshapen or uneven teeth: Teeth that are truly perfect are quite rare. Porcelain veneers can cover teeth that are uneven or misshapen.
Minor crookedness or gapping: Severe misalignment typically requires orthodontic treatment, but porcelain veneers are a great way to hide small gaps and minor crookedness.
The Lifespan of Porcelain Veneers
Few dental restorations last a lifetime, but porcelain veneers are among the longest-lasting solutions. They are durable enough to withstand biting and chewing and, with proper care, they can easily last for a decade or more.
Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant. While teeth whitening must be regularly repeated, your porcelain veneers will remain bright and healthy-looking with excellent oral hygiene.
Do Porcelain Veneers Look Natural?
Many people worry that porcelain veneers will give them a “game show host” look, but veneers are actually designed to look quite natural. The dental porcelain mimics the sheen and translucency of natural teeth, and we will color-match them to your adjacent teeth.
We can give you a brighter smile by whitening your teeth and then color-matching your veneers to your new tooth shade. Just keep in mind that you will need to whiten regularly to maintain the match.
Whether porcelain veneers are worth the investment is a decision only you can make, based on your budget, goals, and the issues you want to correct. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, though, porcelain veneers are an excellent way to boost your self-confidence for a decade or more.
Want to Learn More?
If you want to learn more about how we can keep your entire family’s smiles in tip top shape, contact Savannah Dental Solutions today at (912) 354-1366 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Porcelain Veneers: A Simple Way to Improve Your Smile
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.
