What are the advantages of porcelain veneers?
Porcelain dental veneers are extremely thin, custom-made pieces of porcelain, bonded to the front surface of existing teeth, to change the shape, size, position and color in an effort to recreate the natural look of teeth. These veneers are also comparable to tooth enamel in strength and resilience. Invented by a California dentist in 1928 to temporarily alter the appearance of actors in a movie, the veneer process has improved drastically over the years. With today’s techniques and materials, they can last for many years and are becoming more popular all the time.
Reasons to Consider Dental Veneers
Not feeling satisfied or confident with your smile can affect all areas of your life. A list of the more common causes for that are:
Teeth that are discolored – coffee, red wine, smoking, drugs, like tetracycline, old fillings, excessive fluoride use and abrasive whiteners are among a long list of what can cause a change in the color of teeth.
Worn surfaces – age and stress (grinding) can wear down teeth in certain areas.
Damage – chipping and actual breaks that occur from accidents or weak spots.
Alignment – uneven, crooked or misaligned teeth, possibly from childhood or uneven growth as adult.
Gaps – gaps and large spaces between teeth.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
When any of these causes are present, there will be the several options for correcting them, usually bonding, crowns or veneers. Much of the decision will depend on the extent of the problem and underlying structural issues. Veneers, especially porcelain veneers, have certain advantages and are becoming more popular. Some of these advantages include:
- Provides a natural, attractive appearance
- Natural teeth are largely kept intact
- Option to choose color
- Porcelain veneers are stain resistant
- Gum tissue tolerant of porcelain and mostly unaffected
- Conservative, non-surgical approach
- Strong, durable results that can last 10 to 15 years or longer
While porcelain veneers offer a lot of advantages, and require no special care other than following good oral hygiene practices, there are things to be aware of and to watch out for. For example:
- The process is not reversible.
- Cost is significant; comparable to crowns in cost but are more expensive than composite resin bonding.
- Chips or cracks in the veneers cannot normally be repaired.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold may be present due to the removal of a thin layer of enamel on the surface of the tooth to enhance bonding of the veneer.
- Color issues. If the color of the veneer does not match other teeth it cannot be altered.
- A veneer coming off a tooth is unlikely but possible.
- Tooth decay can still take place in the tooth with the veneer, which might mean the veneer would have to be replaced with a crown.
- Not everyone is a good candidate for veneers, especially those with unhealthy or weakened teeth and those who tend to clench or grind their teeth.
Having a beautiful smile can truly be life changing. How you go about achieving that involves a lot of important decisions. Your first step will be to schedule a consultation with your dentist, who will discuss the options that are available and help you choose the one right for you.
Forest Hills Dentistry is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of dentistry possible. We offer the latest and most current information and services to our patients with a new state-of-the-art facility in Forest Hills, Queens. Patient comfort, individualized care and complete satisfaction is our priority.
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