What Are Porcelain Veneers?
You might be familiar with porcelain veneers because of your favorite celebrities; when you picture the even, white smile of most Hollywood superstars, you’re probably picturing porcelain veneers. When a person’s teeth have minor cosmetic flaws or physical imperfections, porcelain veneers can restore the smile to its ideal. This includes camouflaging stubborn stains, protecting and obscuring minor cracks or fractures, and adjusting the general size or shape of the teeth in the front of the mouth, where they are the most visible.
Because it is necessary to permanently modify the structure of the natural teeth in order to place porcelain veneers, they are considered a permanent dental treatment and should be considered carefully before making any decisions about treatment. There are some clear pros and cons that come along with porcelain veneers, and your dentist can help you weigh your options and make an informed investment in your smile.
Veneers are paper-thin layers of material that are bonded onto the fronts of the teeth. Veneers can be made of dental composite resin or porcelain; while both materials create excellent results, porcelain veneers are considered the gold standard of these types of cosmetic treatments. Porcelain is durable and luminous, much like the enamel of the teeth, creating highly lifelike, thoroughly natural results when placed by a reputable cosmetic dentist.
Over time, people’s teeth darken, stained by the toils of life. Teeth whitening treatments can remove these stains, but the teeth inevitably darken again as daily habits continue. Unlike dental enamel, porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, making them a longer-lasting solution than teeth whitening treatments.
Veneers can also repair cracks in teeth, gaps between teeth, stubborn or intrinsic discolorations, and even minor alignment problems, though some patients may need orthodontic treatment before porcelain veneers can be safely recommended.
When the dental enamel has been damaged by erosion or abrasion, which can be caused by acidic foods, stomach acids, and the friction from aggressive brushing, it won’t grow back, and the teeth are more sensitive and vulnerable to fracture and decay. Porcelain veneers effectively replace and reinforce compromised enamel, protecting the inner structures of the teeth and restoring their unblemished appearance.
It’s clear that porcelain veneers have many benefits, but there’s a reason they’re popular among celebrities: they’re expensive and considered a bit of a status symbol by many. This is unfortunate, as porcelain veneers can solve a multitude of problems, and financing is often available to defray the costs associated with cosmetic dentistry procedures. Some patients report increased sensitivity in the teeth following the placement of porcelain veneers, though this usually diminishes in a few days.
The most important consideration for porcelain veneers is that they’re irreversible. In order to accommodate the layers of porcelain without creating an artificial-looking, bulging effect, your cosmetic dentist will shave away thin layers of enamel from the fronts of the teeth, cementing the veneers so they’re positioned proportionately in the gum line. This means that you’ll always have to have veneers in place to protect your teeth, and the veneers themselves need to be replaced periodically; the average lifespan of a porcelain veneer is around ten years.
Your dentist can help you figure out your options if you’re considering veneers or other treatments to correct the appearance of your teeth and revamp your smile.
