Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin, custom-designed shells made from tooth-colored material that a dental specialist attaches to your teeth to improve your smile and boost your self-confidence. These shells are installed on the fronts of your teeth helping whiten your smile and improve its shape, size, or length. You may need dental veneers to fix minor cosmetic issues in teeth that are visible when you talk or smile. For instance, a dental specialist may suggest veneers to repair chipped teeth.
Keep on reading to learn six reasons why you might need porcelain veneers procedure.
1. To repair minor cosmetic issues
Do you have front teeth that are chipped or broken? Consult a dentist about porcelain veneers. Chipped teeth aren't the only dental problems porcelain veneers can fix. They also help hide severely discolored teeth, protect teeth that are worn down and repair uneven or misaligned teeth.
2. To recover natural look and function
Porcelain veneers can be customized to suit your real tooth enamel. During your first visit, a dental specialist will take a negative imprint of your teeth. This imprint will be sent to the lab where your veneers will be designed. During your second appointment, a dentist can customize the color and shape of your veneers to provide the most comfortable fit and natural appearance. This way, not a single person will be able to notice that you’ve undergone any restorative dental treatment.
3. To treat your teeth invasively
Unlike in other restorative dentistry treatments, a dentist won't be required to remove as much surface enamel of your teeth to make room for porcelain veneers. Hence, you can keep a large amount of your enamel, which is good because the enamel cannot be recovered afterward. Porcelain veneers can be carefully attached to the surface of your teeth. In contrast, restorative options like dental crowns have to cover the entire tooth, which implies that a large portion of your tooth needs to be removed. Due to the noninvasive process of dental veneers, you most likely won't even require any anesthesia when a specialist removes your enamel.
4. To continue practicing your normal dental hygiene
Porcelain veneers don't require any special maintenance. Just make sure you brush twice daily and floss once a day to eliminate dental plaque and oral bacteria. And don't forget to visit routine dental checkups. These two rules will help you prevent veneers from discoloration so you can enjoy a shiny and gorgeous smile. Porcelain veneers are fabricated from a non-porous material, so they're immune to permanent stains and tooth decay. Hence, very little effort is needed for their maintenance.
5. Veneers are durable
With proper dental hygiene, regular checkups, and professional cleanings, porcelain veneers can last for more than 10 years. Just like your real teeth, veneers are resistant to chips and cracks. However, your habits are an important factor in keeping your dental covers undamaged. Just make sure to avoid biting on hard foods or objects to preserve your dental restorations.
6. To prevent enamel erosion
Your teeth’s enamel is strong, but highly acidic foods, aggressive brushing, or digestive diseases like acid reflux (where stomach acids can potentially influx into your mouth) can still damage it. As you may already know, worn-out tooth enamel cannot be restored. Porcelain veneers are highly durable, but also an aesthetically pleasing option to replace damaged enamel.
The bottom line
Consider installing dental veneers if you have worn down, cracked, severely stained, or uneven teeth. Porcelain veneers can help recover your teeth’s natural look and function, helping improve your appearance and self-esteem. Veneers are also very easy to maintain and are highly durable, so consult a dental professional to discover if you’re a good candidate for this type of restorative dentistry treatment.