Have you ever been the person to self-consciously hide their smile in a group photo? How about during a job interview or while on a first date? Cosmetic dentistry was designed to help people just like you feel more confident by hiding slight tooth discoloration or damage. If you have cracks or gaps in your smile, you may want to consider the advantages of porcelain veneers. Our cosmetic dentists will be able to help you determine if veneers are the right solution for your teeth.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They can be used to restore the appearance of teeth that are discolored, slightly crooked, chipped, or uneven. In order to apply dental veneers, our dentists will first need to remove a small amount of enamel from the front of your teeth. After that, we’ll take an impression of your mouth so that your veneers can be custom-made to fit your smile.
There are other cosmetic dental procedures that can sometimes achieve a similar result to dental veneers depending on the severity of your concerns, including:
- Crowns
- Dental bonding
- Dental bridges
- Dental implants
However, each individual case is different. Here are 5 reasons you might want to choose porcelain veneers instead of the other cosmetic dentistry options.
1. Looks Natural
Porcelain veneers are created based on impressions our dentists take of your teeth. This means that you can expect the contouring and color of the porcelain shell to mimic your natural tooth enamel. Not only do porcelain veneers look natural, but they also feel natural. The ceramic covering hides stained or cracked teeth like a protective shell so you can eat and talk normally.
After your porcelain veneers arrive from the lab, our cosmetic dentists may make slight adjustments by cutting excess material or matching the color of your tooth enamel. In other words, they are customized to fit over your teeth in a way that will look and feel natural.
2. Fixes Cosmetic Issues
Porcelain veneers can fix:
- Gaps between teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Uneven teeth
- Short teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
For minor cosmetic dental problems, you may want to discuss with our dentists whether or not you are a good candidate for veneer teeth. Front teeth veneers can help you boost your confidence by closing gaps between teeth or even covering up yellow teeth.
3. Durable and Stain Resistant
Did you know that porcelain veneers are able to resist staining and decay better than normal teeth? Given proper care, you can expect your dental veneers to last between 10 and 15 years. While porcelain veneers are durable and stain resistant, you still need to care for them as you would natural teeth.
For example, excessive coffee drinking can stain your veneers. Also, using your front teeth to bite down on hard foods such as ice can cause your veneers to chip if you’re not careful. As long as you take good care of your dental veneers, they will last you for years to come.
4. Easy Maintenance
Take care of your new dental veneers the same way you take care of your natural teeth. Be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Also, make sure you schedule regular dental checkups with your dentist. This easy maintenance will help you keep the natural white shine in your veneers so you can enjoy a beautiful healthy smile. Since veneers are non-porous, they are able to resist permanent stains and cavities better than your natural tooth enamel. In other words, dental veneer maintenance is minimal.
5. Minimally Invasive
The veneers procedure is less invasive than other tooth restorations, such as dental crowns. To make room for your porcelain veneers, our cosmetic dentists will need to shave ½ millimeter from the front surface of your teeth. While this may seem like a lot, keep in mind that teeth receiving dental crowns require more filing because the crown has to fit over the entire tooth. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are adhered only to the front surface that is visible to other people. During the veneers process, you may also need very little to no anesthesia.
Ready to Make an Appointment?
Wish you had straighter, whiter teeth? Schedule an appointment with one of our veneer dentists in Wyoming, MI. To request an appointment, call Family Dentistry at (616) 534-5602.