Porcelain Veneers can improve your smile and
boost your self-confidence, in fact, a healthy grin is good for your self-esteem.
According to the American Dental Association, Veneers are thin shells that are custom made
to fit over your own teeth. Directly bonded to your natural tooth they can
improve the appearance of your smile and can actually change the length, size,
shape, and color of your teeth giving you a perfectly proportioned smile.
Dental Veneers are made from resin composite
or porcelain materials. Porcelain Veneers are more resistant to
staining and mimic the natural reflecting properties of your own teeth. Resin
Veneers are thinner and require less removal of your natural tooth. Your
dentist will be able to decide what type is best for your situation.
Porcelain and Resin Veneers can fix teeth
that have been discolored because of medications such as tetracycline. Veneers
can also be used to fix root canal treatments, excessive fluoride use, and
large resin fillings that have discolored the entire tooth. Other fixes
include:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Worn down teeth
- Misaligned, irregularly shaped, or uneven teeth
- Fill the gap between two teeth
If the thought of Porcelain or Resin Veneers
appeals to you, it will require three appointments with your dentist. Of
course, your teeth and gums need to be healthy before the veneering process
begins.
During your treatment planning and diagnosis,
your dentist will ask you what results you want to achieve. X-rays and
impressions may also be made of your teeth.
In order to prepare your teeth for veneers,
your dentist will remove ½ millimeter from the surface of your tooth. That
amount is about the thickness of a dental veneer and may require a local
anesthetic. After this procedure, your dentist will make a model of your tooth
before sending the impression to a dental lab. Your dentist may also recommend
temporary veneers.
When your permanent Resin or Porcelain Veneers are ready, your dentist will check for color, fit and placement, before
etching and cleaning the surface of the tooth. Your dentist will then cement or
bond and complete the process with a light that cures or hardens the cement.
Dental Veneers can
last for years as long as you practice good oral hygiene. If you would like
more information regarding Porcelain or Resin Veneers, schedule an appointment with
your dentist today.
