Porcelain Veneers: What You Need to Know
Our adult teeth are meant to last us a lifetime, but the truth is, they rarely stand up to the wear and tear with grace. Many people find that their teeth become discolored, chipped, or even cracked over time. It can really put a damper on your smile when you have teeth youre embarrassed to show. Porcelain veneers are ideal for those who want a permanent solution to these problems.
What They Are Porcelain veneers are simply small ceramic plates that are custom fitted to your teeth. They can be color adjusted to match your other teeth and can fix a number of issues, including covering cracks or stains and making crooked teeth look straight.
The ceramic used in these cosmetic repairs creates a very natural look and it is virtually impossible to tell that someone has had their teeth done. This is because the enamel of the tooth is actually translucent and any light that falls on it goes through the first few layers before reflecting back. The porcelain has the same effect and allows your mouth to look completely natural while still looking great.
The Application Process The plates are attached with adhesive to the front of the tooth. Depending on the type of veneer, the dentist may need to remove some enamel on the front of the tooth to help the ceramic fit better. However, these days there are more modern, paper-thin options that can be adhered directly to the surface of the tooth. Unlike previous methods, these ones are completely reversible in the future.
The first step is to take a look at the teeth which require work and plan out what needs to be done. In some cases, the dentist may use imaging software to give you an idea how you will look afterwards. Once the decision is made as to which issues need to be fixed and how this will be done, you will be fitted for the ceramic veneers.
If the dentist needs to remove the enamel, then he or she will replace them with temporary covers for the mouth, to prevent sensitivity until the next appointment. Between the two appointments, the porcelain veneers will be custom made to fit your teeth. Then the temporary ones will be removed and the plates will be applied using a special adhesive that needs to be hardened with a light. Before setting the glue, the dentist will color match everything and make sure the positioning is correct.
Ongoing Care For the most part these repairs are permanent. You may need the dentist to adjust the bite slightly if it is off, but apart from that, the veneers should be as easy to care for as your regular teeth and require only regular brushing to maintain them.
Porcelain veneers are a good option for those who have cracked teeth or stains that cannot easily be removed by whitening treatments. They can also straighten a crooked bite and may be used in combination with crowns for even better results.
