Are Porcelain Veneers Right for Me?
Porcelain veneers have changed the face of cosmetic dentistry. Veneers are the quickest and most effective way to improve, enhance and transform your smile appearance. Best of all, cosmetic veneers aren’t just for Hollywood stars. Most patients qualify for a smile makeover using veneers. Here’s more insight into this popular cosmetic dental treatment so that you can determine if you are a candidate yourself.
What are Veneers?
Cosmetic dental veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. Veneers simply cover up imperfections, so they are only used on the teeth that are visible when you smile. However, veneers can address a wide range of aesthetic concerns and the porcelain material is natural-looking and highly durable for everyday dental function. A small portion of your enamel must be shaved off to foster a strong bond between your veneer and your natural tooth, but the overall process is painless and completed in two office visits in most cases.
What Can Veneers Do?
One of the highlighted advantage of veneers is their versatility. Patients may qualify for cosmetic veneers if they have the following:
- Gapped teeth
- Chipped, cracked or broken teeth
- Discoloration or staining
- Misshaped or missized teeth
- Crooked teeth
Porcelain veneers can be customized in shape, color and size. This gives you and your cosmetic dentist the ability to meet your unique goals for your new beautiful smile. Whether you are using veneers as “instant orthodontics” or trying to cover up that front tooth gap you were born with, most patients consider veneers as a life-changing solution to a more confident smile.
What Can Veneers Not Do?
It is important to keep in mind that veneers are merely covering up your imperfections. Therefore, if you have dental health issues on your front teeth (decay, infection, etc), you may need to address them before you get your veneers. In addition, if you are using veneers to project a straighter smile, you should know that your overall bite alignment won’t change. In other words, crooked teeth can look straighter but bite problems can’t be fixed by veneers. Veneers are an excellent choice for smile flaws that are too severe to be addressed with cosmetic bonding. However, some types of dental damage may warrant a crown or other restorative procedure instead of a veneer. Only a trained dental professional can accurately determine your candidacy for porcelain veneers.
To schedule your personal consult about porcelain veneers, call Laguna West Dental. We love creating beautiful smiles using some of the most innovative solutions of cosmetic dentistry!