But perhaps one of the best things about porcelain veneers is how versatile they are. They can be used to treat many common concerns people have about their smiles–all at once.
One Procedure, Many Benefits
Placing porcelain veneers is just one procedure which takes place over a few visits. It can be completed in under a month in most cases, and with that one procedure, you can improve the appearance of teeth that are:
- Chipped
- Worn
- Discolored
- Gapped
- Crowded
- Crooked
- Rotated
- Small
- Poorly shaped
With just one treatment, you can essentially get an entirely new smile. It’s that easy.
Porcelain veneers are facades of advanced ceramic that fit onto the front and sometimes top of your natural teeth. This allows them to reshape your tooth and give it an entirely new visible surface. We say that you’re essentially getting a new smile, because you are: all new visible surfaces of your teeth to eliminate all the concerns you’ve had about their appearance.
Porcelain Veneers for Chipped and Worn Teeth
One of the most common reasons why people want to get porcelain veneers is that they chipped one or more teeth. Porcelain veneers are very good for this type of repair. They can precisely match your natural teeth around the chipped tooth or teeth. They resist stains, and they’re highly durable–lasting much longer than dental bonding in this situation.
Worn teeth can also be restored with porcelain veneers. The veneers can build your teeth back up to their former height–you’ll have your youthful smile back.
But when we’re using veneers to fix chipped and worn teeth, we also have to look at the cause of the damage and make sure we’re not putting veneers in to be damaged the way natural teeth were. We may recommend a night guard or even TMJ treatment.
When Your Teeth Won’t Whiten
Teeth whitening is very effective in many cases, but it doesn’t always work. People with thin enamel or naturally dull enamel may not be happy with the appearance of teeth after whitening.
But because porcelain veneers cover your natural teeth, we can essentially make them as white as you want them to be. Because veneers are thin, if you want your teeth really white, we may have to sacrifice natural-looking translucency to get the desired whiteness.
Veneers work great for a single tooth that’s become dark in color compared to your other teeth. First, we’ll assess the tooth, but if it’s healthy, a porcelain veneer can help the tooth match your other teeth.
Veneers or Orthodontics?
There are many common cosmetic complaints that can be treated either with porcelain veneers or with orthodontics like Invisalign. Deciding which is best for you can only be done in consultation.
A simple tooth gap is usually a great opportunity for veneers. When more teeth are involved, orthodontics becomes a better option. Unless you’re also unhappy with the size or shape of your teeth: then porcelain veneers might be best. But, as we said: we can’t know what’s best until you come in for a consultation.
Peg Laterals, Retained Baby Teeth, and More
Porcelain veneers are also great for fixing some congenital conditions that may make you unhappy with the appearance of your smile. A peg lateral is when your lateral incisors are shaped like small peg-like teeth rather than the more common broad, flat shape. And some people don’t lose their baby teeth as expected. Instead, they have the tiny teeth mixed in with their adult teeth.
Porcelain veneers can fix these and other complaints you may have about the size or shape of your natural teeth.
In some cases, the natural teeth are small enough that we may actually use a porcelain crown instead. It’s the same basic principle, just a larger restoration for a smaller tooth.
What Can We Do for You?
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile, the odds are good that porcelain veneers can help.
And if you’re looking for skilled cosmetic dentists in Rochester, NY who can help you achieve your desired appearance, look no further than Contemporary Dentistry. Please call (585) 244-3337 today for an appointment to talk about getting your new beautiful smile.
